The Conservatives have promised to give patients access to their medical records online, in controversial new proposals announced today.
The plans would involve patients accessing health information in via personal computers in the same way that they can currently access their bank account details. Companies such as Google of Microsoft would be allowed to store medical records online.
This follows an independent review of NHS IT commissioned by shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien.
Speaking this morning on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, O'Brien said: "We want to give patients the ability to give themselves greater control over their information."
The scheme has already been discussed by the party in broad terms. O'Brien will reveal the full details at a news conference later today.
Under the Conservative proposals, there would be consultation with doctors and patients over the extent to which records could be edited. This would include the possibility that individuals could choose to delete information.
O'Brien said: "Giving patients greater control over their health records is crucial if we are to make the NHS more patient-centred."
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the idea was an interesting one already being looked at by the NHS. He said it could be used by those with recurrent conditions, such as epilepsy or depression, to keep a record of their symptoms, thus helping clinicians.
Health minister Ann Keen questioned how patient confidentiality would be protected under such a system. Last month David Davis, former shadow home secretary, criticised the proposal, arguing that a company such as Google should not be trusted with private information.
The government's £12bn scheme to computerise all medical records for every patient has been beset with delays and problems. It is thought to be the world's biggest civilian IT project.
