Yet another NHS data grab
Rick Murray (539) 13806 posts |
https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/13/nhs_data_grab/ If you want your data to remain under some semblance of privacy, opt out now (not in a couple of weeks) as just like last time, you can’t opt out once you’re in. |
Steve Pampling (1551) 8155 posts |
I will save people a lot of thinking and researching. The important points are covered in this bit: However, Dr Bhatia said patients may not know their information could be used by US companies planning to bid for work for the NHS. "I do not have any confidence the data will not be [given] to the private sector in the US. Nobody ever checks; once it is anonymised and outside GDPR, they can give it to who you like.
You ought to be aware that thanks to Thatcher and Co. followed by Lansley1 in more recent times the GP’s are much less connected to the NHS as most people think of it than anyone outside the NHS would believe. Try asking to see your notes that the GP holds – you may find you have to mention the FOIA (That is NOT a requirement when requesting info BTW) The GP quoted in the story is being a touch ingenious and probably knows that Joe Public doesn’t know about levels of anonymisation. People should be concerned that it might have an impact on who runs some surgeries. I don’t think there’s a concern that some quirky affliction of your dangly parts (or lady-bits) will become public knowledge. 1 Given his financial associations with various health companies he should never have been allowed any input to the NHS never mind being given charge of the actual ministry |
Rick Murray (539) 13806 posts |
The problem here is that the more information that is collected together, the more scope there is for undoing so-called anonymisation. Simply omitting a name does not de-anonymise a person, if it is necessary to keep other information such as date and place of birth (could be useful for some research). Looking at that piece of information alone, it isn’t particularly relevant other than as a status point (person in this surgery was born on 16th December 1973 in Glasgow).
It’s worth noting that the more anonymous data is, the less useful it is for anything. And, suddenly, the useful data is a lot more specific. It may not mention your name, but don’t be fooled into thinking that omitting name, address, and serial number makes you anonymous. It might, but it equally might not.
I’m not a wannabe celeb, nobody will be interested in anything of mine that dangles. I’m more concerned that I might find future private medical coverage contains exclusions for things that I don’t even know I might have, determined by researching my antecedents.
You’re surprised? The Tories are openly brazenly corrupt, and everybody is too busy chanting the “Let’s get Brexit done” or “Let’s get Covid done” mantras to even care about little things like that. |
John WILLIAMS (8368) 493 posts |
The thing that concerns me is that possibility that US entities might use these data in their bid to “take-over” the NHS. After Trump I have zero confidence in their abilites to manage anything properly! |
Colin Ferris (399) 1809 posts |
Trump said what he thought – this new one – goodness knows – no that’s not the TV remote :-| Some of our MP’s give pigs a bad name. |
Steve Pampling (1551) 8155 posts |
Yup, that’s why stuff is listed as partially anonymised and fully.
Not even remotely (Hubble telescope) surprised.
I’m of the opinion that the phrase is a tautology.
That’s the bit you should be concerned about |
Rick Murray (539) 13806 posts |
And the story continues… (interesting idea of “sovereignty” these people have) |
Julie Stamp (8365) 474 posts |
Thanks for letting us know about the deadline and opt-out Rick, I can’t say I would have heard otherwise. |
Rick Murray (539) 13806 posts |
Here’s a quick dose of medical mayhem for Authentic Steve. https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/15/zoll_defibrillator_dashboard_vulnerabilities/ A great example of a good idea (defibs self test, report status back to the mothership so notifications can be issued for test failures) gone horribly wrong (hey guys, save time, just upload your assets info as a big Excel file). And stretching the medical angle to its absolute limit, we need look no further than Ohio.
And:
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Steve Pampling (1551) 8155 posts |
Here’s a quick dose of medical mayhem for Authentic Steve. You know, if you had a large hospital with a lot of those in use, the guys in Medical Electronics might be duly concerned. I wonder if there’s a big one near me… |