Webroot, the leading provider of anti-spyware software and other security technologies, has come forward in support of the common concern over the adoption of NHS’ new database. They have requested the Government to ensure IT security for the NHS Database of Patients’ Medical Records.

The Governmental plans for the introduction of a database system that would hold the medical records of 50 million patients all over England was met with public opposition. Patients fearing misuse of information by hackers and spyware-writers applied to the Department of Health, making requests for the exclusion of personal health details from the database.

Following this, Lord Warner, the health minister, announced the revised plan that permitted patients to correct their records; patients were also allowed to hold back health information from the database at will. This, again, became a cause of great concern for doctors who felt that patients opting not to disclose health information were risking their physical condition. (Medical details, if shared across the NHS network and accessed by the NHS staff, can prove life saving).

Daniel Mothersdale, Marketing Director of EMEA for Webroot, speaking on behalf of his company and the common mass said that the public fear is not really invalid or unfounded. Referring to online credit card frauds, he said that such cases are not rare, urging the government to “respond to the public outcry by putting IT security at the forefront of their database design and management.” 

Continuing in the same vein, Daniel added that an assurance from the government for the safe “management and accessibility of the data” would bring sufficient changes in public attitude.