Data privacy raised as MPs debate NHS’ single patient record plan
Data privacy raised as MPs debate NHS’ single patient record plan
https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2026/data-privacy-raised-nhs-single-patient-record
Publish Date: 2026-06-02 03:58:00
Source Domain: www.computing.co.uk
Proposals are intended to cut A&E visits and save millions
Plans to create a single digital patient record across England’s NHS have been debated by MPs for the first time, with ministers claiming the reform could reduce pressure on hospitals.
The proposals form a central part of the NHS Modernisation Bill, which was discussed in Parliament on Monday.
The legislation would require NHS organisations, including GP practices, hospitals and social care providers, to share patient data through a unified system designed to give clinicians a complete view of an individual’s medical history.
That’s a stark change from the current system, where each institution holds its own records and sharing them is a lengthy process.
The government claims the changes could prevent up to 20,000 visits to accident and emergency departments each year and reduce hospital admissions by around 6,000 annually.
Officials also estimate the reforms could save taxpayers more than £20 million a year by reducing unnecessary prescribing and improving medication management.
Under the plans, healthcare professionals would be able to securely access information such as medicines, allergies and previous treatments in a single centralised system, regardless of where a patient receives care.
Ministers argue this would improve safety and reduce the need for patients to repeatedly explain their medical history to different services.
The government estimates doctors could save around 500,000 working hours a year by spending less time searching for records and entering information.
Improved access to shared records is expected to begin as early as 2027 in areas including maternity services and frailty care.
Privacy concerns
However, medical professionals and unions have raised concerns about privacy…
