The NHS Patient Records Database

Andrew GaynorCS5308 Coursework

December 2005

Can It Be?Should It Be?

Will It Be?

Can It Be? – The Technology

• Hardware • Servers• Networks – Internet + Local• Clients

• Software • Databases• Browsers• Netware• Security

• People• Politicians• Medical Professionals• IT Professionals• Patients

Should It Be? - The Ethics•Security & Privacy

• Integrity & accuracy of data• Patient access rights• Who controls access ?

• Cost• Started at ~ £ 6 bn• Then up to £ 9 bn• Latest estimate ~ £ 13 bn

• Human Cost• 27% of medication errors caused by poor

information availability• 1200 deaths/year as result of medication errors (England and Wales)

Will It Be?- The Reality

• Huge project• Liable to huge cost overrun

•Opposition from various groups

• Poor track record for large public funded schemes•Air Traffic Control, Tax Credits, Passport Office etc..•Some exceptions…MOT

Conclusion

• Can it be?

Yes

• Should it be ?

Probably

• Will it be ?