Don't really see that it is much different to the Police PNC ? Of course the next step would be to make it available to mobile devices, so that you can see a patients history whilst in the Ambulance or even on hand-held device whilst attending - surely that's an advantage ? I am in high-end IT, and the technology and security exsists to maintain such a system - where it falls down is always human intervention; you can design out stupidity and fraud, but not lapse policy or authorised (and extended CRB checked!) staff intent on making a buck, or just plain nosey, but that is in all walks of life, paper or digital. The reality is, that if you work in a high-risk environment (and that includes ex-pats (yes, I was one for many years), then why would you not expect to be treated as high-risk by an insurer ? It's a personal choice, and should always be, but I for one am happy to know that my records would be available when needed if it meant keeping me alive a little longer for my family - sorry if any of the above offends, it's just my view.