18Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Introduce a Health Data Trust to protect private medical data

Introduce a Health Data Trust to protect private medical data

Parliamentary news
Today, at their Conference, the Liberal Democrats have backed ambitious plans to safeguard private health data. The party is calling for the establishment of a five-point ‘Health Data Charter’, which will set out key tests for whether data sharing is in the interest of the public and the NHS. They also propose a ‘Sovereign Health Data Trust’, which would bring together experts, clinicians and patient representatives to oversee the implementation and observance of the new charter. Commenting on the proposals, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that we understand how companies and organisations are able to access and manage our personal data - particularly health information. “Sadly, this current Government is refusing to be honest with people about how they’re handling…
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28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GP Patient Data: Halt the scheme and inform the public

GP Patient Data: Halt the scheme and inform the public

Parliamentary news
A report from Which? [published 29th July 2021] has shown almost half (45%) of adults in England, around 20 million people, are unaware of plans for GP patient data to be shared by NHS Digital to external organisations. The Lib Dems have called for the scheme to be halted until proper transparency on the data sharing has been shown from the Government. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP said: “Given the Government’s complete lack of interest in publicising this scheme and its disdain for any kind of transparency it is no wonder that so many have never heard of it. That so many are considering opting out will render this scheme almost useless. “Grim experience has taught the British public to be wary of trusting the Government with its…
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20Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Test and trace privacy fiasco yet another blunder by Ministers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that privacy campaigners have accused the Government's test and trace programme of breaking data protection laws, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The fact that the Government have potentially broken the law is just another example of Ministers’ disastrous handling of test and trace. For the Department of Health to admit there was no consideration on the impact this would have on our privacy shows that this Government is simply walking into blunder after blunder, failing to get a grip on this crisis. "Of course mass testing, contact tracing and isolation at the community level for those who test positive, is the only safe way out of lockdown, but protecting individuals’ privacy remains of the utmost importance. "The Liberal Democrats have been clear that…
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13May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for Safe Trace App Law to ensure coronavirus app is safe and effective

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to bring forward a new “Safe Trace App Law”, to ensure the Government’s coronavirus tracing app is safe and effective. The calls comes as it is reported the NHS tracing app is set to be rolled out nationwide by end of next week, despite concerns. The party says this new primary legislation would force the Government to justify its decision to reject plans for a decentralised app (as recommended by the Information Commissioner) and pursue a centralised app instead, despite experts warning that: It may not work on phones that are locked or when it’s running in the background.It will drain a phone’s battery, so won’t work for long.It will be incompatible with other countries’ apps, including Ireland’s.It puts people’s privacy at…
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