In a major victory for NHS anti-privatisation and for anti-surveillance campaigners, government plans to sell the medical records of every single person in the UK to private companies have, at the last minute, been put back by 6 months. The government "informed" the public about this money-grubbing scam, by circulating inadequate quantities of a leaflet called "Better information means better care" - which, far from providing a balanced picture of the issues involved, suggests, from the get-go and from its title onwards, that the sale of confidential patient records to corporate sharks is somehow linked to "better" care. The leaflet highlights (in bold print) the deliberately leading suggestion that "if you are happy with your information to be shared..." (ie - sold) "there is no form to fill in and nothing to sign"; then, rather than giving precise instructions on how to exercise your actual rights, adds (in deliberately vague language and less bold print) "if you have any questions or are not happy... speak to your GP practice". Most households have not received even this leaflet, however the 6 months delay gives more time for those who weren't informed to get up-to-speed and opt-out quickly.

The procedure's simple and takes just a few minutes - download the form via the links below, print out, fill-in, sign and date, then take the form to the front-desk at your GP surgery, and politely inform the receptionist you're opting-out of the Care Data scheme and would like this to be noted in your GP records. If you don't have a printer, simply write out the form by hand, as below, adding your details and signature -

 http://medconfidential.org/how-to-opt-out/

 http://medconfidential.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/caredata_trifold.pdf

 http://medconfidential.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/caredata_opt-out_letter.pdf

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26239532

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Dear Doctor

I am writing to give notice that I refuse consent for my identifiable information and the identifiable information of those for whom I am responsible [delete as appropriate] to be transferred from your practice systems for any purpose other than our medical care.

Please take whatever steps necessary to ensure my confidential personal information is not uploaded and record my dissent by whatever means possible. This includes adding the "Dissent from secondary use of GP patient identifiable data" code (Read v2: 9Nu0 or CVT3: XaZ89) to my record as well as the "Dissent from disclosure of personal confidential data by Health and Social Care Information Centre" code (Read v2: 9Nu4 or CTV3: XaaVL).

I am aware of the implications of this request, understand that it will not affect the care we receive and will notify you should I change my mind.

Signature:

Full name:

Address:

Postcode:

Date of birth:

NHS number (if known):

** Also provide the same details for all family members and dependents who wish to opt-out as well **

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Do this as soon as possible, and please send this info to ALL your friends, family and work-mates :)