Just been to register at the local GP...

[Fubsy]

They will not accept my completed GMS1 form alone. They want me to fill in a further health questionnaire (things like email address, phone number, work number, family members at address, how much I drink/smoke, ethnicity etc).

I don't want to give them this information, and have asked them if they require it, which they replied with a categorical yes, but were unable to explain why other than it is. I normally don't mind this sort of thing when it's required (such as the GMS1 form, or as part of a pre-op) however this extra stuff I always see as optional. There are reasons why I don't want to give this information, nothing dodgy, but that isn't the point of this thread.

Has anyone had this when registering at a GP?

 

[Fubsy]

Should I not want to provide them with this information, then is that grounds to not accept my registration and deny me a GP? They could register me with just the information on the GMS1 form from what I can see. I will be willing to provide them with my mobile number once I have an appointment there (I haven't used a GP in 3 years). I may not even use this surgery if I move out of the area. Needlessly giving up this sort of stuff is something that I am starting to become more and more aware of.

The form starts with "We would be grateful if you could fully complete these questions...." that doesn't sound like a required to me.

 

[Fubsy]

If it bothers you lie on every question.

This is my only choice right now.

 

[Fubsy]

Because you sound like the PITA type of patient who isn't going to give them the information they require but still hold them responsible when they misdiagnose you based on your misinformation.

I haven't always been this way, but have come to realise that giving it away without question does come to bite you in the arse.

Once in a diagnose/treat situation I am forthcoming with all information.

 

[Fubsy]

This isn't some random online spam survey, it's giving relevant and necessary information to your doctor.

How is my race necessary? People I live with? My lifestyle can be discussed directly with my GP (when I get one).

They'll have it back, but they don't need that information. If the NHS as whole needs it, then produce an official form - not one that's been knocked up by a local practice that might store it on an insecure machine.

 

[Fubsy]

Guys, I feel like a troll now. Going to head out to the shop to buy some tin foil and hand my form in with a pack lies attached.

 

[Fubsy]

Why would you lie? What are you hiding?
Thats my logical conclusion, that youre hiding something you dont want them to know, which in turn may hinder you if you were became ill.

Theres a time and a place to act like a PITA...this isnt one of them!

I'm sick of the data harvesting that goes on. Every time I do something I'm required to give up details and not given reasons that satisfy me. Something snapped today.

 

[Fubsy]

I could understand your refusal if you'd nipped down to a new barbers and they'd asked you to fill this in but it's a doctors surgery they have access to your whole medical records what difference does some lifestyle information make?

I'll discuss that with my GP and have it recorded officially on my medical records. I do not want it used for any other purpose and they could not tell me how it would be stored or who it would be passed on to.

 

[Fubsy]

Ok guys, you've persuaded me to come to my senses.

For the record, I've never smoked and hardly drink. Time to become another number in the system to be analysed and trended.

I had a big long form to sign up. Even had to give a urine sample which I wasn't expecting!

You see I've done all this with operations and thought nothing of it - it's all there in my records (not the **** obviously).

 

[Fubsy]

At the end of the day how do you think they work out funding and which services need extra funding or better access in each area?

Well that's a better reason than I was given at the surgery. Why can't they give these reasons on the form? Instead of just "give us this info because we want it".

EDIT: Someone is going to tell me that it's because it's obvious and I'm just paranoid. I like to think it's more about being aware of who knows what, why do they know it and who will they tell?

 

[Fubsy]

Some races are more susceptible to some types of illness. It is certainly relevant.

Guys, I know this. All of this stuff is in my records - they already have it in my official records.

What I wanted them to inform me of is who will see this stuff on the questionnaire, and how secure will it be. They couldn't satisfy those questions with an answer. At that point I asked if they could register me without this and they refused, again without a good enough reason being provided.

Your doctor will potentially see your meat and two veg and have a finger or two where the sun doesn't shine at some point, and you're worried about giving them an email address?

The doctor can see whatever they like.

 

[Fubsy]

Personally where is the harm, if you put down that you drink a fair whack during a week, all that may come of it is when you pop into see you GP you may get a few wise words. But what's the harm in that, we go to see our GP when feeling unwell, nothing wrong with a bit of medical advice.

Seems a non issue to me really unless you have something to hide 8o))

I have nothing to hide and would be happy to give them the info if they could give assurances that it isn't passed on and is secured. They couldn't do this.

If I was a heavy drinker, or other embarrassing problems that could be used against me, then I sure as hell would want to know that was locked down and not accessible to anyone that's got no reason to access it.

Even just a quick search gave a hit that it could happen. Staff should know the answers to these questions and at least be aware.

 

[Fubsy]

How can they give you a correct diagnose or treatment without all the information at hand.

Everything is in my records. As I already stated above various times.

My concern was with the extra information they say they need for the surgery records - which they couldn't tell me how it is stored or who they pass it on to.

 

[Fubsy]

Nobody reads threads any more...

 

[Fubsy]

Yes.

I registered a few months back.

They included an additional form with extra stuff on it. I filled it in and didn't think twice.

What is the issue exactly?

The issue is that they couldn't tell me who handles the data I give them, who it would be shared with (if anyone), and how it's stored (if it's hard copy only, stored on a database locally, or uploaded to a networked database.). I'm seeing this as my medical records are separate to the info I give the GP surgery. I want to know how that data is handled before I hand it over, and I think that's reasonable for anyone else to ask and have answered.

CaptainComedy - they have this information already in my medical records! It's additional information they want and separate from my medical records. The GMS1 form gives them permission to have those.

 

[Fubsy]

The reason I don't want to give that information is because I don't trust their ****** IT department or staff to have access to more information about me than necessary. Staff not knowing who the data is passed to or how it's processed just made me question why we all give up stuff about ourselves so freely. I've got nob all to hide - but I would never use that as an excuse to forgo rights to have my data protected.

 

[Fubsy]

What makes you think your actual medical records are any safer?

Nothing, but I know these are not passed on to third parties outside the NHS (I hope).

 

[Fubsy]

Actually the NHS has already given some medical records to companies like Google.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...records-data-sharing-16-million-a7011891.html

I hope those patients were at least asked, and at least given anonymity.

Well, yea if you believe them:

A spokesperson for The Royal Free London told The Independent: “Absolutely no patient-identifiable data is shared with Deep-Mind. All information sent to and processed by this app is encrypted and is only decrypted once returned to the clinician’s device. Patients can opt out of any data-sharing system by contacting the Trust’s data protection officer.”

 

[Fubsy]

About 18 times yep.

One has to wonder, does he kick up the same fuss when asked for a postcode when hiring a car, or a mobile number when booking a hotel, all the while Facebook, WhatsApp and Google hold terabytes of information about all his conversations, purchase history, browsing habits, etc etc...

Most of that stuff is pretty harmless if it gets into the wrong hands, but I still minimise where I can what I record on social media. We're already all screwed on this side of things thanks to the Investigatory Powers Act.

Today was the day when someone asked me for sensitive information (I wouldn't want Dave down the pub to know any of it) and I asked the person "is it necessary to register me?", "how is it processed?" and "who can access it?" - all I got in response was "we just need it". I was surprised that I asked, I didn't plan to and now I'm wearing a tin foil hat.

 

[Fubsy]

Live in a tent in the country and then you can quite truthfully say that you can't fill in the form .

Ha, but then I wouldn't be able to fill the other form in truthfully

Pretty much I have to give them this information and take it on blind faith it's not misused and protected properly. Safe to say I'm happy to do it knowing that none of you guys would have any issues with it.