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Andrew Watson
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Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Posts: 6283
Location: Cambridge
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 Posted: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:32:34 +0000 Post subject: CW blogs: No qualifications needed to access national ... |
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http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/tony_collins/2008/03/no-qualifications-needed-to-ac.html#more
No qualifications needed to access national health records database
A new national database of confidential patient records is being opened to access by NHS staff who need no professional qualifications – despite official assurances that access to the summary care record will be provided only to specialists who are providing care or treatment.
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The document from Bolton Primary Care Trust - minutes of a Summary Care Record Project Board meeting on 7 January 2008 - released to us under the Freedom of Information Act says:
"Process for using Summary Care Record in Accident and Emergency
"The group were informed that, at one of the implementation group meetings, the GP practices raised an issue around the process for using SCR in A&E. Originally, the procedure at A&E was to be that the receptionist would look at the record then print it off and add it to the CAS [Casualty Record] card. The GPs have issues over non-clinical staff accessing the records as they have informed their patients that this would not happen.
"Two leaflets went out to patients when they were being informed of having a Summary Care Record. The standard mailing leaflets state that non-clinical staff 'may not have access to your records'. The security leaflet however, clearly stated that non-clinical staff 'will not have access to your records'. Connecting for Health have decided to keep the wording of the 1st document the way it is and change the second to match it.
"The GPs have said that all their patients will need to be informed that receptionists may look at their records. It has been decided that, because of this, the only action that can be taken is to change the procedure at the hospital. The amended procedure means that HCAs [healthcare assistants] will now access the records rather than the receptionists as they are classed as clinical staff...
"The main problem with this change of procedure is that HCAs are only in the department around 50% of the time. Chris is looking into what could happen the rest of the time and will feed back at the next meeting. The Board are happy to sign off the procedure for the HCAs to access the records instead of the receptionists as long as there is a procedure in place for the full day rather than just when the HCAs are in."
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medical privacy
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 467
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:10:00 +0000 Post subject: |
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To me this story is just another example of GPs not liking other people doing what they are doing. The GPs keep jiving the impression that they think reception/admin staff should ONLY have access to name , address etc, but no medical information and yet at the same time they are allowing their own staff access claiming that there is a 'need to know' for them. I fail to see what the differerence is. Ether they jhave a 'need to know' or they dont. They cant complain about admin staff at the hospital having access and allow their own staff access.
They also give the impression that health care assistants have limited access to the patients record and 'specalist' only have access to specific data. Those of us that have dealt with doctors about access to our records know this is far from the truth and they will put you through hell if you dare demand control of your information.
Commputerweekly.com does run some good stories, but some, like this one, are full of double standards they seem keen to turn a blind eye to.
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| Posted: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:12:38 +0000 Post subject: |
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Medical privacy wrote:
| Quote: | | They also give the impression that health care assistants have limited access to the patients record and 'specalist' only have access to specific data. Those of us that have dealt with doctors about access to our records know this is far from the truth and they will put you through hell if you dare demand control of your information. |
I wasn’t surprised to find that receptionists etc, have access to your medical records. I do recall ringing for an appointment for a specialist clinic. Another one of those target scams, I was asked to make the appointment at the beginning of the next month, so as to make the waiting list time look like it was achieving its aims, instead of been given a date and time when I was first referred.
When I eventually got through and asked when and where my appointment was, the lady told me the time and also why I was attending the clinic (I wasn't asked for proof of identity), again having access to the referral notes.
I would have complained, then I remembered that I was using a made up name and address to protect my privacy! It would appear the only option available these days, until they pass a law stating that to use medical services you will require ID, is to anonyms your data yourself at source! |
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