Saved - Medical Data Confidentiality

posted: 09/03/2009

After eight healthcare organisations published a joint letter calling on the Ministry of Justice to rethink its data sharing proposals in the Coroners and Justice Bill, Justice minister Straw has bowed to the pressure over data sharing.

Jack Straw has now said he will scrap his controversial proposals that would have allowed patients' medical and DNA records to be shared with police, foreign governments and other bodies.

In a victory for civil liberties campaigners, the justice secretary bowed to public pressure over the data-sharing provisions in the coroners' and justice bill, which would have allowed public bodies to exchange data without the knowledge or consent of individuals involved. Doctors and the Bar Council had joined privacy campaigners in warning of the potential risks to public trust.

"Absolutely no part of the purpose of this legislation was to extend a Big Brother society - quite the reverse - but I understand people's anxiety," Straw stated. "I have never had a piece of legislation that was not improved by public debate during its passage through parliament."

He will now launch a fresh public consultation on how to implement more limited proposals from a review chaired by the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, which would allow government bodies to share information where there is clear benefit - for example, to ensure that bereaved families do not have to contact a string of official agencies to tell them someone has died.

The U-turn follows the Scottish government's decision late last week to withdraw support.