§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why patient data held by family practitioner committees is not covered by the report from the confidentiality working group and the draft code "Confidentiality of Personal Health Data."
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe report from the working group on confidentiality set up by the steering group on health services information—the Körner committee—was written as advice to health authorities on the policies and management arrangements appropriate for the information they hold about patients and employees. The draft code of practice on confidentiality of personal health data issued for consultation by our Department last October was also written with the needs of health authorities in mind. Preparations are being made for consultation on a separate code for family practitioner committees and other bodies involved in family practitioner service administration, which will be based on the same general principles.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will describe the nature and extent of personal data held by family practitioner committees in respect of patients;
(2) what arrangements exist for the protection and maintenance of confidentiality of patient data held by family practitioner committees; and if he will make a statement;
322W(3) if he will list the items of personal data held by a family practitioner committee in respect of a person registered under the National Health Service and on the list of a general practitioner.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFamily practitioner committees may hold some or all of the following personal data relating to patients:
- Names and former and other names.
- Address and previous addresses.
- Sex.
- If female, marital status.
- Date and place of birth.
- National Health Service number.
Name of usual general medical practitioner, previous GMPs, and GMPs providing any emergency treatment.
Group identifiers (for example, students, new arrivals registering for general medical services).
Patients receiving:
- Cervical cytology tests
- Maternity medical services (date of confinement).
- Contraceptive services.
- Sight tests (date of tests and collection of glasses).
- Oxygen supplies and equipment.
- Dental treatment, including details of treatment and husband's name if married; women living with husband where a refund is applied for; and details of emergency NHS dental treatment.
- Treatment to arrest dental haemorrhage and signature of parent or guardian, if applicable.
- Certain vaccinations and immunisations including reason for and date of vaccination, and school attended, if appropriate.
Under general medical service arrangements:
- Night visits
- Treatments as a temporary resident including expected stay in an area and details of treatment.
Emergency treatment if residing in an area for 24 hours or less. Exemptions from prescription, dental and optical charges giving health reasons or social security status.Claim for refund for replacement of dental appliance on hardship grounds giving details of size of family, total weekly income, major weekly outgoings.Medical records of deceased patients and those who have ceased to be registered with the GMP.FPCs are expected to hold records in secure conditions and not to use personalised information for purposes other than that for which it was obtained without the written consent of the patient or his personal representatives save for bona fide research or in exceptional circumstances such as pursuant to a court order.