GP Patient Data: Halt the scheme and inform the public
A report from Which? [published 29th July 2021] has shown almost half (45%) of adults in England, around 20 million people, are unaware of plans for GP patient data to be shared by NHS Digital to external organisations. The Lib Dems have called for the scheme to be halted until proper transparency on the data sharing has been shown from the Government. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP said: "Given the Government's complete lack of interest in publicising this scheme and its disdain for any kind of transparency it is no wonder that so many have never heard of it. That so many are considering opting out will render this scheme almost useless. "Grim experience has taught the British public to be wary of trusting the Government with its sensitive personal information. By collecting and sharing our health data in secret the Government is only losing the trust of the public further. "The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to pause the implementation of this scheme. Until there has been a full publicity campaign, proper transparency on who this data will be shared with and for what purpose, the Government cannot go ahead with this scheme." |