The Government is planning a nationwide door-drop to every UK home – some 22 million addresses – to explain a new scheme which will see patient data collated by the NHS to form a central database.
The scheme, known as “care.data” programme, is being run by the Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) and will gather data from every GP practice in the UK to help researchers identify patterns in disease and the most effective treatments.
There had been fears that doctors’ surgeries could face enforcement action from the Information Commissioner’s Office if they did not inform all patients about plans to use their data, and provide an opt-out clause.
Privacy groups have also expressed concern over the plan, which the Department of Health says the A5 document will try to address, especially over the prospect of data being sold on to third parties such as health IT firms.
The leaflet, set to be delivered in January 2014, is expected to repeat reassurances that patients can opt out of having their data collected – but also remind them that unless they specifically register an objection, there is an assumption they have agreed. It is yet not known who has got the contract for the door-drop.
A special helpline will also be set up for patients to get more information about care.data before they make up their minds.
Government plans nationwide door-drop to explain NHS data sharing scheme http://t.co/uXsUyqSVYU #directmail #data #directmarketing
Government plans care.data program to help researchers combat disease and trends http://t.co/as0kih4FJB #data