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Information on GP records without consent

(6 Posts)
Whingingmom Tue 30-Jan-24 21:47:44

I was shocked to find out that everyone over 65yrs has a computer calculated “electronic Frailty Indicator” added to their medical records without consent. A condition of the NHS England contract under which GPs are paid.
I urge everyone to check their records - mine was under the heading of Medical Tests and was completely inaccurate. My GP was very combative when I asked for it to be removed. It is apparently uploaded regularly and GP practices are funded for it.
I urge all over 65s to challenge this automatic profiling. I wonder what consequences it could have now or in future for things like obtaining travel/health insurance, driving licence etc.

Blossoming Tue 30-Jan-24 22:20:53

I have had a look but can’t find a frailty score. I’ll ask when I have my next review.

Mancjules Tue 30-Jan-24 22:27:54

I've just checked...mine says 0.028 N/A. No idea how they score this as its about 7 years since I last saw anyone medical! I will check this out at my practice.

Littleannie Tue 30-Jan-24 22:39:45

I saw this once on the computer when I visited the nurse. It said 'moderately frail'. I swim 3 times a week, walk a lot, do all the housework, gardening, shopping. Last year I decorated 3 rooms, up a stepladder. I asked the nurse about it. She just shrugged and said they didn't take any notice of it anyway. So I asked who had decided about me, but she said it's just something that they use depending on your age. I keep meaning to ask the doctor next time I see her. I'm not happy about it either.

ixion Tue 30-Jan-24 22:52:14

You might find this link helpful.
www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/clinical-policy/older-people/frailty/efi/#what-does-the-new-frailty-identification-requirement-in-the-gp-contract-mean-for-general-practice

This is one extract-

" What does the new frailty identification requirement in the GP contract mean for general practice?
General practice is required to:

Identify all patients aged 65 and over who may be living with moderate or severe frailty;
For patients identified as living with severe frailty (around 3% of over 65s), undertake an annual medicines review, a falls risk assessment, if clinically appropriate, and promotion of the enriched Summary Care Record (SCR);
For patients identified as living with moderate frailty (around 12% of over 65s), consider undertaking a medicines review, a falls risk assessment if clinically appropriate, and promotion of the enriched SCR."

Whingingmom Tue 30-Jan-24 23:20:50

I have been identified as moderately frail. The NHS England Toolkit for GPs defines this as “ having difficulty going outside, needs help dressing, needs help with bathing, cannot manage stairs, cannot shop or prepare meals and needs help with managing medicines and finance”
In the last year have travelled to Dubai 4 times (family visits) cruised to Norway, hiked a glacier, been to Croatia, attend the gym, weekly Pilates manage my own house and garden including mowing etc. Look after online banking etc, shop, cook and clean.
It infuriates me to be labelled moderately frail by a computer profile. 2 other friends have been similarly labelled. I wonder if this could lead to misdirection of GP resources to people who don’t need it, as well as the effect on individuals.
My GP doesn’t seem to care as long as he gets the funding.