Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe NHS Modernisation Bill, scheduled for its second reading, introduces a single patient record system to unify fragmented health records across England, requiring all NHS providers to share patient data. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) claims these reforms will result in 20,000 fewer A&E attendances annually, save over £20 million by reducing medication errors, and free up approximately 500,000 hours for doctors. Wes Streeting, a former health secretary, advocates for the single patient record as one of the most significant NHS reforms in decades, emphasising that combining investment with technological reform is crucial for improving NHS performance. The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed concerns that the new legislation could facilitate the inappropriate use of patient data, seeking clarification on how patient confidentiality will be safeguarded. Further provisions in the Bill include the abolition of NHS England, with its functions transferred to the DHSC or integrated care boards, and the launch of NHS Online in 2027 to provide virtual specialist care via the NHS app. In fullNHS patient record change will slash A&E visits by 20,000, government saysThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

While DHSC said the reforms would give patients more control over their care, the BMA raised fears that the new law will open up the possibility that patient data is used…

Doctors, nurses and hospitals being able to securely access up-to-date information should mean quicker diagnoses, safer treatment and fewer mistakes