Is sharing a way of caring?

The launch of a controversial NHS programme expected to begin in April has been postponed for six months, amid concerns the public has not been fully informed of it.

The data sharing project, called care.data, would allow GPs to share patient information like illness, drugs, age and postcode with hospitals, as well as private companies and researchers.

The idea of having everyone medical records going to one place, has immediately created a security concern among the public, as critics fear the database might be hacked or misused by businesses and the public.

Tim Kelsey, the NHS director for patients and information, declared:

“Without data in our arms we were blind, we can’t make improvements in the quality of care. For years now we have been using data in hospitals to ensure that we measure things like death rates.

“This programme is going to help us fundamentally improve the quality of care provided to the general population but we do want people to make an informed decision whether they want to participate or not”.

The information gathered from GPs would help the NHS administer the system better, with particular attention to people with chronic conditions, who move between hospital units and GPs offices.

Peter Weissberg, director of British Heart Foundation, warned that patients would die if the scheme collapsed. Therefore, the delay must be used to explain the benefits of care.data to the general public, and make them aware of their opt-out rights.

NHS has confirmed its intention to pursue the programme and has insisted administrators are drawing up a plan to explain the project in detail to patients.