This week, in a roundabout way, I’ve found out that in less than 4 weeks’ time, the NHS will be sharing GP data with third parties, and whilst they are not charging for this, they are seeking a payment for supplying the data. Hmm, sounds like selling data to me! Many GPs are against this, though they have been overruled. Basically, they state that names and addresses will be removed from the data, but would you trust that? I don’t. Third parties will have access to what is private information about your health, and any mental conditions or physical ailments that you may have. Your consent has been deemed automatic. If you do not wish your personal, and private, health details to be shared with a third party, then please check out the link below. I don’t have access to a printer, so I’ve emailed them, and they will send a hard copy for myself, and my son, that we will complete then mail to our GP asking to opt out of this data sharing. Remember, you have less than 4 weeks to do this should you so desire. Link is:

medconfidential.org

Best to copy the link and paste it to a new window. As the title suggests, nothing is sacred anymore, not even personal health data!

UPDATE: According to the BBC, this has now been pushed back to 1st September, though you still need to 'opt out' if you wish to keep your medical records from being 'sold' to a third party.