The NHS Alliance comments on new measures for accessing patient records
Sir Ciarán Devane says NHS leaders will review the contents of a letter from NHS England in detail to ensure they are satisfying the national requirements.
Responding to the announcement by NHS England on new measures around the access of patients’ medical records, Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, said:
“The overwhelming majority of NHS staff understand that patients have a right to expect their personal health information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and they demonstrate this every single day.
“Any inappropriate access is a serious breach of duty and trust. It is wrong in itself and also has the potential to cause significant distress to patients and families.
“NHS leaders will therefore review the contents of this letter from NHS England in detail to ensure they are satisfying the national requirements.
“As the NHS increasingly uses digital technology to support more joined-up and personalised care, it is vital that patients remain confident that robust safeguards are built in and that any breaches are dealt with quickly, consistently and proportionately.”