GP pilots are “last chance saloon” for care.data scheme

GPs piloting the controversial data sharing care.data scheme in England are the “last chance saloon” for the project, MPs have been told.

IT leaders at NHS England have promised that the scheme will not be rolled out nationally until it is deemed to be working well and protecting patients’ confidentiality. Under the scheme, GPs’ health records will be shared with the national Health and Social Care Information Centre and linked to existing information on hospital records to help ensure quality and safety of services and provide information for research.

The scheme was due to be rolled out in spring last year but was delayed after claims that the NHS failed to properly consult on it and …