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A David Cameron-led government would hand the medical records of all NHS patients to Microsoft or Google instead of storing them on central, state-run database. Overturning people’s health files to Web firms with secure facilities already in place would avoid a rebuild of Labour’s, “centrally determined and unresponsive national IT system.” Speaking yesterday, the Conservatives added that NHS patients would be given the option of using a service like Microsoft Health Vault or Google Health to store their records. But is not yet not clear what would happen to the files of patients who did not consent, according to initial details of the plan, seen by a national newspaper. Both of the private sector systems proposed, which are currently live in the US, would also require the companies to agree to an overhaul before they could work in Britain. Other technical concerns focus on whether either system would be robust enough not to impair doctors’ ability to access a patient’s medical files in an emergency. Yet the proposed replacement of the NHS IT system, which is running four years behind schedule at £12.4bn, would pioneer the idea of patients “‘owning’ their own data.” Under the plan, a senior Tory source added that multiple providers, rather a single large provider, was expected with access for patients “almost certainly” free, The Times reported. The party’s plan to involve Google represents its latest link to the giant, whose PR strategist Rachel Whetstone is married to Steve Hilton, one of David Cameron’s closest advisers. The Liberal Democrats say they are unsettled by the Conservatives’ closeness with Google which was reinforced when Eric Schmidt, chief executive, joined the party’s business forum five months ago. Jul 7, 2009 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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