§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration he has given to the need to ensure confidentiality between patient and doctor, and to protect medical records stored on computerised systems from being sold to data processing companies;
(2) who owns, and has responsibility for, a patient's medical records stored on a computer system; and what rights a patient has to access to the information stored in these records;
(3) who owns, and has responsibilty for, a patient's medical records stored on index cards; and what rights a patient has to access to the information stored in these records;
(4) who owns, and has responsibility for, a patient's medical records stored on a smart card; and what rights a patient has to access to the information stored in these records.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe are currently considering all these issues. We intend to issue a health circular on ownership, confidentiality and disclosure of personal health information in the NHS on which we propose to consult widely in the new year.