DOCTORS have called for the suspension of a national patient database scheme being piloted in Stoke-on-Trent.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says the system is being implemented too quickly, meaning patient confidentiality could be put at risk.

Forty thousand patients in the city have had their details uploaded to the Summary Care Record (SCR) database, which allows doctors across the country to share potentially life-saving information relating to allergies and prescriptions.

All patients registered with a city GP are being sent information about the scheme and anyone can opt out of it.

But the BMA says that, in some parts of the country, records are being created without the consent of patients.

And the doctors group is concerned residents are not being given enough details to make an informed choice about remaining on the register.

A letter to health minister Mike O'Brien from the BMA calls for the roll-out of the database to be halted in areas that have not yet begun public information programmes.

It also requests that opt-out forms be sent to patients along with information material.

And North Staffordshire GP leader Dr Paul Golik, who has also been critical of the SCR scheme, agrees with the BMA.

He said: "All patients have been sent a letter about SCR, but I think they've only been told about the upside.

"From that, it sounds great. But there is a downside too. What if you have a relative who works at a hospital who accesses your records?

"Obviously they will be breaking their contract, and we've been assured that these people will be found out, but I'm not sure that will happen."

Dr Golik, pictured, said doctors also had concerns about the security of the scheme.

Patient James Ratcliffe is on the books at Apsley House surgery in Burslem, which was one of the first in the city to pilot the SCR scheme.

The 60-year-old, of Ashburton Street, Burslem, said both he and his wife were on the database.

He said: "It could be quite useful. If we're on holiday somewhere and taken ill it will mean they won't have to call up our surgery and ask what medicine we've taken and things.

"I don't think there's a problem with doctors being able to see my information. But I don't want it going all over the internet."

An NHS Stoke-on-Trent spokesman said 197,000 letters about SCR had been sent to patients, and a series of drop-in sessions held across the city.

She added: "We have used a range of methods to communicate with patients about SCR.

"We are also preparing an SCR newsletter to keep practices informed on progress locally which will also include our response to the concerns raised by the BMA."

The SCR will eventually form part of the countrywide NHS IT system.