We asked a local GP: "Are you worried about data security?" This is what she said:

"Data security concerns me because I don’t think we have adequate systems in place to protect patient information."

"It’s often the case that we leave patient information visible on computer screens, so when the cleaner or whoever else has access to the surgery comes along, they can read a patient’s medical record."

"Another big problem is communicating information with the hospital. If a referral is urgent, we have to fax the information to a secretary in the hospital. This fax includes the patient’s name and details – all it takes is for us to dial one wrong digit and the confidential information could go anywhere. We don’t even get an acknowledgement to say the hospital has received the fax. We’re constrained by PCT policy as we have to make urgent referrals on the day we see the patient, but the hospitals won’t accept or there is no system for electronic referrals."

"I also have a real issue with the PCT doing audits and accessing patient identifiable information. The PCT prescribing lead often comes to the surgery to audit us. When she comes to assess us for QOF, she wants to see our mental health parameters. I don’t think she should be able to view patients’ records and see confidential information – but the PCT insists on auditing our QOF data. We have a device that we have to physically put over our screen to block out the patient’s name and protect their privacy. The whole system is ridiculous."

"I know smartcards are supposed to be the answer to all of this. I have one but I don’t use it because at the moment my computer isn’t even equipped to take it."