The National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) is a Scottish Government database accessible to public bodies approved by the Scottish Parliament. The register was established in the early 1950s to facilitate the transfer of patients between Health Board areas or across borders within the countries of the United Kingdom. However, its role has expanded over the decades and it now also provides Scottish local authorities with a Unique Citizen Reference Number or UCRN used to identify people on their own databases.[1]
In 2006, the Scottish Government and the National Records of Scotland made a major expansion of the applications of the NHSCR by changing regulations with section 57 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006.[1] In 2015, the Scottish Government proposed expanding access to the NHSCR to more than 100 additional public bodies.[2] The associated consultation[3] received 302 responses. The proposed expansion was criticised by the Open Rights Group, who believed it may breach data protection rules and human rights and resembles a national identity system.[4] In February 2017, the Scottish Government informed the Scottish Parliament that it did not intend to proceed with the proposals.[5]
- ^ a b (2015) National Health Service Central Register National Records for Scotland, Retrieved 10 March 2015
- ^ "MSPs debate 'super ID database' plans". BBC News. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Scottish Government, St Andrew's House (3 December 2014). "Consultation on proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006". www2.gov.scot. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Privacy campaigners may mount legal challenge against 'super ID database'". Scottish Legal News. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ "Written Answer Report Wednesday 22 February 2017" (PDF). www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 20 December 2018.