MPS welcomes information sharing but highlights need for safeguards

31 Aug 2012

The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has welcomed the Department of Health’s strategy to transform the use of information across healthcare. The world’s leading medical defence organisation believes that the principles outlined in The Power of Information will support communication, improve knowledge and promote shared decision making, however, patients need to be aware of the potential risks.

Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications at MPS says, 'MPS has long advocated better communication between patients and healthcare professionals, to promote informed choice and allow patients to share in the decision making process.'

Access to records

'One of the proposals is for patients to have access to their medical records online by 2015. This is a natural next step to allow patients more involvement in their care. However, we have concerns about the risks facing patients if their information is not safeguarded. Patients, and third parties such as carers or patient groups, will need to understand how to handle their records securely, to maintain their confidentiality.

Greater patient access to records may also impact on the content of records, with the need for doctors to use patient-friendly language and consider omitting entries that may cause distress, such as some differential diagnoses. Traditionally, the primary purpose of the medical record has been to communicate details between health professionals, to ensure continuity of care; however a greater likelihood of patients accessing their records should not compromise this purpose.'

Sharing patient data

'The proposal for anonymised patient data to be shared with the NHS, researchers and industry is an ideal way to advance research and make care safer. However, it is essential to get the right balance between public interest and sharing information, and a patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

There are also consent issues to consider when using a patient’s data for research purposes. Patients need to be supported to provide informed consent for use of their information by understanding the possible ways in which their data could be used and for what duration.'

Patient expectations

'The strategy contains many aspirations for patients and their information, which are relevant to the needs of modern society. However, MPS is concerned that there is a lack of information on how these will be achieved, and the constraints on resources that the NHS will have to continue to manage. We feel that making such promises may widen the gap between what patients expect and the reality of what can be achieved.' 

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