SIR – Big Brother is watching you and wants your NHS information. The NHS is about to centralise all patient data including NHS numbers, postcodes, dates of birth and so on, the first time this has been done.
The NHS and social care information centre says this data will be used by “approved researchers” and “those planning services”.
But I note the chief data officer is reported as saying he has “no ideological objections” to patient information going to private health companies and non-NHS researchers.
If Amazon can now predict what books you will buy, what is to prevent the large US health corporations using NHS patient information when targeting their services?
Though one Oxford doctor has already opted his patients out, the NHS leaflet does not include an opt-out form so the only way to do this is to approach your doctor and have a note put on your file.
Our seniors group is all in favour of NHS research, but has told our doctors and Health Watch it is not satisfied there are sufficient safeguards.
Max Hey, Fairway Grove, Bradford
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