Medical database set to launch in Worcester

A new medical database containing profiles of Worcester residents is set to launch in the near future, it has been reported.

According to the Worcester Standard, the data will be available to nurses and doctors across the UK which is good for data quality.

However, patients will have the opportunity to opt out of the scheme if they wish.

Dr Jonathan Leach, Worcestershire PCT's Medical Director and Director of Primary Care, said he supports the move.

"Put simply, if I got knocked over by a bus in London and taken to hospital it would mean doctors could have instant access to some key medical information," he explained.

From a patient perspective, the database is a very good idea, Dr Leach added.

Speaking last year after the Department of Health first announced plans to create a database of this kind, Simon Godfrey, Director of Security Solutions at software management company CA, said adequate protection policies must be put in place for this scheme to work.