NHS wants to share patient details

New guides being delivered this week to explain new scheme for sharing information between departments or care services.

Leaflets explaining how the NHS uses patient information will begin landing on doormats across Devon and Cornwall next week.

Better Information Means Better Care, explains the benefits of sharing information about the care people have received between NHS departments, hospitals and social care services.

The NHS says this ensures care is consistent across the country and can also highlight different diseases or conditions that may require more NHS investment.

It is claimed the program will find more effective ways of preventing, treating and managing illnesses, identify risk groups, tailor services to suit local needs, manage resources and help patients understand the process.

Patients have the right to object to their data being used for purposes other than their direct care. If they wish to restrict their data being used then they should talk to their GP.

An information line at 0300 456 3531 has been set up for patients to call if they have any questions or concerns about how their data are used.