Hello all,
National AIDS Trust (NAT) and Liberty have been working closely on the issue of data sharing between NHS Digital and the Home Office. Liberty are considering whether it is possible to bring a legal challenge against the agreement between the Home Office and NHS Digital that allows sharing of patient data for immigration purposes. In particular, the Home Office ask NHS Digital for patients’ addresses so that if the Home Office believe someone is in the UK unlawfully they can be deported or removed.
If you are a NHS user your concern may be that:
• You have stopped going to the GP
• You have stopped disclosing information frankly to your GP or nurse
• You have limited the times you go to the GP to when you or your children are very ill
• You got a letter from the Home Office after going to the GP and you are worried about it
If you are a GP/nurse/ medical professional your concern may be that
• You are concerned that some patients have stopped coming to your practice due to their worries about data sharing with the Home Office
• You are concerned that information that was given to you on a confidential basis is now being shared
• You are concerned as to the effect of the new policy on the spread of infectious diseases
This is not an exhaustive list. Liberty would like to hear from you whatever your concern regarding the data sharing between the Home Office and NHS digital. Please contact Christopher Hicks, Policy Officer at NAT (
christopher.hicks@nat.org.uk) and we shall put you in touch with them. Alternatively you can contact Lara ten Caten directly on
Laratc@liberty-human-rights.org.ukThanks,
Chris
Policy and Campaigns
National AIDS Trust
UKCAB 