Confidentiality is top priority for patients

Confidentiality must be a top priority in the NHS plan for a national electronic patient records system, according to a comprehensive survey.

The Consumers' Association interviewed nearly 2000 members of the public about their view of the Integrated Care Records Service (ICRS) at the heart of the £2.3bn National Programme for NHS IT.

Seventy-two per cent of respondents said security and access are a primary concern.

'Overall, patient reaction to the ICRS was extremely positive - the only barrier was a perception that security was an issue with electronic systems,' says the report.

'Patients needs to be informed and reassured about security protocols (fingerprint access was preferred) and sharing routines that excluded non-clinical NHS staff and non-NHS staff.'

The three major benefits of the system identified by respondents were the ability to see recent test results, being able to look at your own medical history and the ability for GPs to book hospital visits during an appointment.

A 'Sharing Charter' specifying what NHS staff will do to maintain confidentiality, the result of an earlier public consultation, is due to be published soon.

'We specifically drew up the charter because one of the things that came out was that patients would be most reassured by having the NHS commitments spelled out,' said Marlene Winfield, head of public engagement for the National Programme.

'One of the first things that will be published will be a summary of the consultation and 50 actions arising from what we have learned,' she said.

Winfield is also chairwoman of the Patient Advisory Board, set up to advise the National Programme on the concerns and priorities of the patient community, which met for the first time last week.

'One of the first things the board will be discussing is how best to make this charter work for patients,' she said.

'The most pressing issues are how to introduce the ICRS data spine and how to interact and disseminate the Sharing Charter in a way that gives clarity to NHS staff and patients.'