The Big Opt Out Campaign

The Big Opt Out Campaign is gaining ground. Several hundreds of thousands of patients have demanded to opt out of the National NHS database. There is a copy of a letter available that you can download and send to your doctor to let him/her know that you do not wish for your personal private details and medical information to be stored on a national computer system.You can click on this link here: http://www.nhsconfidentiality.org/optoutletter

4 out of 5 doctors believe the scheme is risky.


The BMA site has more information on the proposed scheme: BMA Conference Policy on the Summary Care Record. At the Annual Representatives Meeting (ARM) 2007 it was resolved that BMA members should not cooperate with the proposed centralised storage of all medical records due to concerns about security and confidentiality. At the Local Medical Committee Conference 2007, GPs resolved that lessons must be learnt from early NHS CRS adopter sites.


As far as I can find out, it looks as if there are 4 pilot schemes running and there is to be a review before all patients records are uploaded to the national database in May 2008. Do read up as much as you can about both sides of the argument.

When you come to make a decision as to whether you agree with all your personal medical details being stored on a national database do be sure to bear in mind the Govt's record of maintaining confidentiality over other private and personal details. There have been leaks and losses of data: not once or twice but three times or more.The Chief Medical Officer is almost threatening that it will be a matter of life and death if the details are not available nationwide. But no-one has said that if you travel abroad, will this information be available world wide too?!