Electronic patient records
Information to the public
January 2008
There have been reports in the national media that the BMA has produced a pro forma letter for patients wishing to opt out of the national electronic patient record database.
This letter has not been produced by the BMA.
The BMA strongly believes patients should be asked to give informed consent before their health records are placed on a national database, and does not support presumed consent, but the BMA is not part of the 'big opt out' campaign.
The Summary Care Record is being introduced in the following early adopter areas - Bolton, Bury, Bradford and Airedale, Dorset and South Birmingham.
Patients in these areas will receive information about the changes. Members of the public who have concerns about this issue are advised to contact NHS Connecting for Health for further information: 0845 603 8510, or by emailing nhscarerecords@nhs.net.
Read more about the BMA’s position on the government’s proposals here.