The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has written to NHS England urging it to pause planned changes to the NHS.net Connect joiner and leaver process.
The changes would mean that when a user leaves an NHS organisation to join another, they would only take their email address while their data, permissions and access would be archived with the former organisation.
They were due to come into effect on 17 August.
In a letter to NHS England, co-chairs Dr Matt Kneale and Ms Helen Fernandes said that while DAUK supports the proper protection of patient and confidential information, but that doctors must not lose access to essential work communications when moving between NHS roles or organisations.
Dr Kneale said: “The changes may particularly affect rotational doctors, locums and doctors with more than one NHS role.
“We have asked for implementation to be paused while key safeguards are agreed.
“These include no preventable gap in access, clear guidance and urgent support, and safe arrangements for professional records and material connected with whistleblowing.”
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