They will no longer be tracked using NHS records Times photographer Jack HillMinisters have suspended a controversial arrangement that allowed the Home Office to use NHS records to track down illegal immigrants. The government’s rethink on part of its “hostile environment” approach to immigration came after warnings that the data sharing might stop some patients from seeking NHS care for medical problems. Margot James, the digital minister, told MPs yesterday that data would now be shared between the health service and immigration officials only in cases “involving serious criminality”. Under a memorandum of understanding between the Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care and NHS Digital, patient addresses were shared for immigration-tracing purposes. Last month the Commons health select committee said that NHS Digital should suspend its participation, warning that it could breach ethical principles.

Source: The Times May 09, 2018 23:02 UTC