Comments on: Concern over NHS database of gay men

By: Guy Herbert, General Secretary

Guy Herbert, General Secretary — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:04:00 +0000

The NHS confidentiality campaign is affilited with NO2ID, which aims to be the unbrella group for everyone with concerns about database surveillance of the population. You can certainly join our campaign.The SUS system (which will get *everyone's* detailed records, gay, straight, whatever) is just one bit of current thinking about "transformational government" tracking your whole life and "helping" you manage your identity.

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By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:51:00 +0000

As well as contravening the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation Regs) as Pete and Michael point out, if sexual health clinics were required to upload the names, addresses and treatments of gay men (or anyone else for that matter) to the planned NHS central database it would ALSO contravine the National Health Service (VD) Act of 1974, which assures patient confidentiality over and above that which is provided in other health care establishments.This plan from the NHS appears to be not only illogical and unworkable, but also illegal in a least two seperate ways.

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By: Pete and Michael

Pete and Michael — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:02:00 +0000

We understand that ALL Health Authorities in the UK will have to comply, and sexual health clinics will by law ask for names and adresses of Gay men and input details of their treatments onto the NHS database. We notice that this exercise will NOT apply to hetrosexual men. I believe that this action by the government contravenes the SOR 2006 Equality Bill which recently came into operation.

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By: David

David — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:48:00 +0000

I think this is quite possibly the most ridiculous and unworkable idea I've ever seen from the NHS.

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By: Gendy

Gendy — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:57:00 +0000

I have done this already – this SUS will be hopelessly abused in the way that the National Police Computer records have.Beware NuLabour BigBrother ….and I mean Orwell not Endemol. Having worked in local politics – I know that this kind of information leaks everywhere…it becomes a status symbol that as local politico, you can get access to confidential information like this.Oppose local politicians and suddenly you may find that stuff like this has been leaked to a journalist …it happens. Read this: and act on it rint off the letter and take it to your GP's practice manager….they have to do what you ask and keep your medical records confidential and for your Doctor's eyes only.Knowledge is power and that might mean power over you!

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By: MS

MS — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:33:00 +0000

Hiv Records..How and where can people join in the campaing against this.I for one would almost certainley refuse testing untill the point of almost no return.

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