Cancer controversies ‘might not arise’ if patients had electronic access to records

Leading consultants have said that many of the difficulties for women with cervical cancer which emerged recently would not have arisen if patients had direct electronic access to their medical records – including imaging derived from tests.

Speaking an event in Dublin to promote patient participation in clinical cancer trials, Professor Bryan Hennessy of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, told the Irish Times that implementation of the HSE’s electronic patient record strategy would be “a very positive way forward to avoid situations like that which has led to the current upset”.