We have been made aware of a Practice that has received the attached letter from PHE National Team. A female patient with a positive Covid test is being followed up as part of a piece of work to compare risks associated with the disease in pregnant and non-pregnant women. The surgery is asked to complete a questionnaire and send any relevant discharge summaries back via post. The letter quotes the relevant legal basis for requesting information under the HSCA 2001. No fee is offered.
It quotes Section 251 of the NHS Act; this is permissive only- the legal basis for release of confidential information does not equate to a legal or contractual basis for the practice to provide the service. This information is not being requested by PHE under the Coronavirus Act nor any Directions issued consequent to it.
Should your practice get letters of this type from PHE and should you choose to provide the service; the two Birmingham CCGs have agreed that they will fund extra-contractual work requested by PHE on an ad hoc basis on the production of a practice invoice, but that before you undertake the work you would be well advised to obtain confirmation in writing that your CCG will pay the proposed fee.