Logging on to your GP

Embracing new technology

Accessing online health records is now a reality for patients in Ayrshire and Arran, after the launch of a pilot scheme that has been welcomed by MPS.

The benefits of a system that not only allows patients to book appointments online, but also offers easy access to test results and the tracking of results such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, are obvious.

MPS also considers the online system to be a potentially influential component in improving the doctor–patient relationship, encouraging patients to truly become “partners” in the delivery of their own healthcare.

However, the move towards a central electronic records system is not without its hazards – issues surrounding confidentiality and security will cause concern if there is not sufficient security to ensure the records are not accessed by unauthorised personnel.

Given that the Scottish Government has already found support among the public over its emergency care summary records (ECS), we believe that the response to the electronic records system will replicate this.

It has been reported that almost all of the Scottish population have the ECS, with only 1,400 opting out on privacy grounds - in stark contrast to the attempted roll-out of summary records in England, which has been mired in controversy and subject to delays.

Very few patients there have this form of record and the take up of the system may be more limited than Scotland owing to concerns over security.

The benefits of new technology are recognised by MPS, although it is very important that robust security systems are in place. Mindful of the experience in England, we would urge the government to ensure that security is sufficiently resilient ahead of a national roll out of the electronic medical record system.