§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who will own the information collected by general practitioners on the lifestyle and relationships of elderly patients, as will be required by paragraph 11 of appendix B of the new contract document; whether family practitioner committees or health authorities will be entitled to have access to this information; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorGeneral practitioners collect and maintain information for the purpose of the treatment and care of their patients. Ownership of such information lies with the relevant family practitioner committee. FPCs will be entitled to have access to this information but, in accordance with the Department's policy on confidentiality of medical records, only in exceptional cases. A health circular and guidance for FPCs on the subject of ownership and confidentiality of data will be issued shortly.