A new computerised medical records system is criticised by a leading NHS manager for causing "heartache and hard work".

Under Government plans, NHS patients will be able to download medical history and view their appointments free of charge.

The British Medical Association has attacked plans which could give researchers and private companies access to NHS medical records without patients' consent.

A new computerised NHS records system has been criticised by the boss of the Royal Free Hospital in London who said it had caused "heartache and hard work".

Patients will control their medical records and decide who can access their data under a pilot scheme at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Patients would be able to read their own medical records online and add questions about their treatment for doctors and consultants under Tory health plans.

A Scottish hospital is facing questions after leaving crates of medical records apparently unattended in a public corridor.

Patients who do not want their medical records to be placed on a national electronic database are being coerced by NHS managers to give their consent, the British Medical Association said last night. During trials of the scheme in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent, thousands of patients are being told they cannot opt out unless they make an appointment with "NHS advisers" to explain face to face why t...

A Conservative government would give patients online access to their medical records and greater control of them through private-sector products such as Google Health, the party said

Now this is an interesting idea, allowing NHS patients to be able to access their own medical records on-line. I've long thought one of the problems with the NHS is how secretive Doctors and medical care is. Information is almost sacred and you as a patient are for some reason overlooked in the process. To really address what's wrong with the NHS, the way information is shared needs to be looked a...