But during their annual conference, LMCs backed a motion calling on the BMA to abandon its acceptance of an ‘opt-out' model for the summary care record.

The government is to review the summary care record with the aim of looking at its content, as well as the information patients receive about the system.

In a letter to BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum and GPC chairman Dr Laurence Buckman, health minister Simon Burns , said the review of the summary care record will be part of a wider review into how information and technology can be best leveraged in the health service.

The letter said: ‘In relation to the SCR we believe the current processes that are in place need reviewing, to ensure that both the information that patient receives and the process by which they opt out are as clear as possible.

‘Also we see a need to review the content of the record and to agree with key stakeholders what should be added to the record and over what timescales. We would welcome a discussion with you on the processes to achieve this.'

The letter also outlined that a system should be in place to ensure that if a patient wants to opt out they should be able to do so ‘as early in the process as possible'.

‘At the forefront in our minds is to ensure the security of data contained in the record,' the letter said.

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