The Single Patient Record - our response
Responding to the new Health Bill, Chris McCann, our Acting Director said:
"It is welcome that the Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a single patient record, with government drawing on Healthwatch England evidence about the problems patients face with incorrect and fragmented records.
"For too long, patients have told us of their frustration when different parts of the NHS don’t have a full picture of all their records or history. This forces many to have to repeat their story many times to different professionals.
"There will, however, be hurdles ahead on winning full public confidence. These include questions on which professionals or bodies will be able to see and use the data, and for what purposes.
"The Bill confirms government plans to transfer the statutory functions of Healthwatch England into the Department for Health and Social Care. It also transfers the functions of the network of 153 local Healthwatch into the bodies that plan and fund health and social care services – integrated care boards and local authorities.
"Until legislation passes, Healthwatch staff and volunteers across England remain committed to fulfilling their statutory duties to amplify the experiences of service users, especially those experiencing the greatest inequalities.
"As we noted in our annual report in March, we have recommended six tried and tested principles to follow if the government is to realise its ambitions to strengthen patient voice."
