... to not want to share my medical details/history?

[1WayOrAnother2]

I'm usually quite relaxed about sharing.
I'm happy to share some of my blood or (when I've finished with them) my bodies organs.

However, I really don't want to share any GP held information about me with 'third parties' (paying for the honour) even if they are approved by people in our government.

Apparently there have been some headlines in the paper:
'GPs warn over plans to share patient data with third parties in England'

and I've been sent a link by a relation in the NHS :
twitter.com/EinsteinsAttic/status/1398029768126251011?s=08

and a suggestion that I send a letter to my GP before the 23rd June:
t.co/qQrQoJMY8j

aibu to want to keep information about myself and my family with my GP as it always has been?

It’s anonymised and the data will be used to cure diseases and save lives. I don’t think it’s a big deal tbh.

I fully agree

I don't want my information shared either. I just don't trust them to keep the information safe and I'm sure the goalposts will end up being moved "for our own good" in the not too distant future.

If you don't want to then don't. Very easy to opt out.

Up to you that's why they let you opt out. You do what you like.

I cannot see the issue myself but if you don’t want to then opt out. Job done.

I think it's probably ok, but the way they go about it does feel a bit shady doesn't it. I think I'll send my GP the letter too, but I am generally not a massive sharer anyway.

@LuckyWookie

It’s anonymised and the data will be used to cure diseases and save lives. I don’t think it’s a big deal tbh.

I'm no expert and not against helping the good do good :)

However, GPs are usually very keen to help with curing diseases/saving lives but they don't seem to be generally in favour of this.

Perhaps it is that 'third parties' don't have to promise to use our data for the good of humanity.

@LadyPoison

I fully agree

I don't want my information shared either. I just don't trust them to keep the information safe and I'm sure the goalposts will end up being moved "for our own good" in the not too distant future.

Yes - this is another concern. Big institutions do leak information.

I wonder if it will have an effect on insurances (health/life) in future. The companies paying for our data must think it will benefit them somehow.

I'm torn about this.

However, the main concern is that the data is pseudoanonymised. This means that the person can be identified via coding if there is a valid legal reason. I've asked for clarification about what a valid legal reason might be.

If it was completely anonymous with no ability to identify, I'd say absolutely fine

@Theworldisfullofgs

I'm torn about this.

However, the main concern is that the data is pseudoanonymised. This means that the person can be identified via coding if there is a valid legal reason. I've asked for clarification about what a valid legal reason might be.

If it was completely anonymous with no ability to identify, I'd say absolutely fine

If it can be undone and identity revealed... then it seems likely that at some point it will be. (Then there are human errors - carelessness- and hacking...)

At the very least WE ought to be the ones being paid for our data :)

Is the opt out a paper form only? And if so, does anyone know if GP surgeries are providing these, or if you need to use your own printer?

I'm hoping that e-mail will work. It leaves more of a trail that a paper letter.

I was reading about this yesterday on the grauniad.
There's a letter to hand in at your GP practice, must be done by 23rd June.

If you don't have access to a printer, you can email -

[email protected]

With just your address and the number of forms you need and they'll send them out to you.

You can opt out on line. It was being discussed on this Morning earlier in the week. You do need your nhs number to do so.

@Flipflops85

Here is the link you need to do it online.

digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out

@Pinkylemons

Thank you very much

YANBU, but it’s necessary to have an App that shows your Covid vaccination status on your phone. The U.K. NHS isn’t going to maintain and update the NHS app itself, just like they didn’t create it in the first place. It’s done by private contractor. And for a private contractor to do this App, they will see medical information.

It’s not new, I think Atos and Capita and other contractors have been used for work capability assessment and disability benefits assessments for over a decade. And they’ve had access to and used people’s private medical information as a third party.

This has been on the cards since 2018, when there was lots of discussion about it, so I'm not sure why it's suddenly a big issue now.

You can opt out if you are unhappy with any of it, so just do that if you don't agree. Simple.

[quote Pinkylemons]@Flipflops85

Here is the link you need to do it online.

digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out[/quote]
Thanks for this