1 March2014
RCGP Statement on care.data
Commenting on government plans to take on board concerns raised by GPs about the implementation of care.data, Professor Nigel Mathers, Honorary Secretary of the Royal College of GPs, said:
"We are very grateful to the Government for listening to the concerns of GPs and for meeting the assurances sought by the RCGP in order to ensure that patients' data is protected.
"Care.data is a vitally important project that has the capacity to bring enormous health benefits to patients up and down the country.
"However it was critical the Government was able to give the assurances the profession has been seeking, as without them the whole enterprise was at risk of sinking without trace due a crisis of confidence among GPs and patients."
"What is now needed is a stepped up publicity campaign to raise awareness of care.data and the safeguards that will exist, so that people are able to make an informed decision about whether to exercise their right to opt out."
Further Information
RCGP Press office - 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 44,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.