England's Data Guardian warns of plans to grant police access to patient data

This is a trend post covid where a variety of agencies are trying to squeeze the data toothpaste out of the tube. It's utterly cynical and should be resisted at every encounter.

The people behind making these plays for data don't care about "trust and confidence," in instutions because from their perspective, when they have data, the power, and are specially protected by the law, they don't need your trust or confidence. Police with access to medical records means a source of blackmail to leverage against potential witnesses, political dissidents, and basically, anyone they please. I can see the argument now, "You mean you will give access to these random university researchers to explore it, but you won't give it to us to solve this very henious crime? Tsk.."

It's so egregious for anyone who understands what it is, but there is so little popular resistance I can only assume nobody else cares.

Eek. Greater sharing of data is often cause for concern. But this seems like a particularly pernicious change. For those who are unaware, the NHS will currently treat anyone who needs care: no questions asked, including about illegal activity (as long as you're not judged a danger to medical staff or other patients of course). And they won't report any suspected illegal activity to the police either.

This is excellent from a healthcare perspective. It means that if someone needs care they don't have to think twice about it. They can just seek that care. This looks like it might destroy that trust, and IMO that's not at all worth it.

"erode trust" seems like a bit of an understatement. If your doctor whispers all your secrets directly to the police he quite simply becomes an enemy, instead of a (nominal) friend.

Frankly, I don't even get outraged by this kind of news anymore. I am desensitized. I expect this kind of things to become more and more common.

But I am really curious about which bullshit justification they came up with for that. It must be really creative.

Things like this always make me think about a friend who got a job doing admin for the police around university. One of his jobs ended up being processing exam results for a multiple choice exam which was part of the firearms qualification - still a small minority of officers in the UK.

They said that some of the answers were so easy they could have guessed them with zero experience or experience. But there were many who failed them with an overall mark just high enough to pass.

When you go giving a group of people power, it's sobering to think about who those individual people might be - especially in an organisation that is so widespread, requires little education and has been accused of lowering hiring standards due to staff shortages.

I wonder what on earth the police want with patient data from the NHS. What's wrong with obtaining a warrant to access the necessary data on a case by case basis? (Although I can think of very few cases where patient data would help solve a legitimate crime).

Jesus Christ we need a new government.

People think that by giving government power they're doing good. That, with the help of government, together we can collectively unite and form a Utopia.

But history has been populated by way more dystopia and bloody revolutions and governments that crush the people, than collective harmony Utopias.

Human beings are way more primitive than we realize I think and will corrupt ANY system, capitalism, socialism, democracy, etc.

I don't know if it's because power corrupts or sociopaths get into power. So while it seems good at first over time that power will be abused.

Even the CHURCH was selling indulgences at one point.

Notice this is specifically NHS only. Private medical patients are exempt. Only for the prols, then, no one important will be bothered by it.

UK is an actual failed state at this point.

Good job.