Jeremy Hunt plans sale of confidential patient medical records to private firms
Confidential medical records may be offered to private companies for as little as £1, according to plans drawn up by officials.
The new General Practice Extraction Service will consolidate NHS patient records sent to a central database by GPs around the country.
The project has been described by campaigners as an “unprecedented threat” to medical confidentiality, and doctors do not have to inform patients that their records are being passed on.
The records will include details of medical conditions and patient identifiable information including a patient’s NHS number, postcode and date of birth, reports the Daily Mail.
Private firms such as Bupa are able to purchase the records for research by applying to the Health Service.
Roundabout for young wheelchair users to enjoy
A roundabout with a difference in Norfolk
Norman Lamb MP and Tom FitzPatrick, leader of NNDC, launch the new Kidabout play equipment at Sea Palling playing field. Norman and Tom give ten year-old wheelchair user Angel Allen, and other local children, a push on the equipment. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY
Friday, August 16, 2013
8:07 PM
Fun-loving Angel Allen can sit in comfort as she enjoys a trip on the merry-go-round in her local playground.
Sea Palling now has its own ‘kidabout’ roundabout, specially designed to allow wheelchair users such as Angel, 10, to enjoy a ride.
The kidabout’s ground-floor base and wide entry means Angel, of St Margaret’s Place, can park her wheelchair easily on board, and enjoy a whirl alongside little brother Ben, four.
Woman who ate catfood after care cuts now to get earlier meal
Suffers hypoglycaemia attacks due to dipping sugar levels causing her to pass out
A BLIND pensioner who claimed she begged strangers in the street to cook her food when her care visits were reduced is relieved her meal times have now been changed.
Jan Milne, a disabled diabetic, said she suffers hypoglycaemia attacks due to dipping sugar levels causing her to pass out.
The 71-year-old widow from Dormanstown, Redcar, receives daily meals when carers visited at 8am, noon, and then 8.30pm. From Monday, the last call out will be replaced with a tea time dish at 5.30pm.
