Vol. 421 No. 8
160 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the recent comments by a person (details supplied) that the increased computerisation in the health services was giving lay persons access to a whole range of medical information which endangers doctor/patient confidentiality.
In general computer systems are far superior at restricting access to information than manual systems. With computerisation, an opportunity is provided whereby sensitive information can be made available strictly on a need to know basis. All computerisation in the hospital services to date has incorporated this feature. In the past, stringent security measures were implemented where personal information was concerned and particularly in the case of medical records; this will continue to be the case. Furthermore, the Data Protection Act places particular responsibilities in relation to confidentiality of personal information on all agencies processing such information by computer.
