A Point of View

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual: Life Stories

BBC Radio 4 FM

A Point of View: Me and my medical data

26/04/2024

Me and my medical data

BBC Radio 4 - A Point of View, Me and my medical data

Will Self with a very personal take on the rise of medical records apps.

Will Self ponders the good, the bad and the ugly of electronic medical records being rolled out across the NHS as he grapples with cancer treatment.

Patients care apps - which give patients unprecedented access to their health records - are being rolled out by NHS trusts across the country. 

You might imagine, says Will Self, that 'this previously unimaginable access to such a wealth of medical data should empower me, make me feel I have a choice, and enable me to assist those treating me by being what every conscientious statistic wants to become: a good patient.' 

Will argues that, on the contrary, this 'revolution in healthcare' only makes us more impotent, reduces patients to the status of customers and undermines the authority and expertise of medical professionals.  

Producer: Adele Armstrong 
Sound: Peter Bosher 
Production coordinator: Liam Morrey 
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

A Point of View

Me and my medical data

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4