I agree, the implementation of large scale online stores of secure data is already happening in everything from policing, banking, TV Licensing, DVLA and pretty much everything you sign up to or pay for. The problem of security is obviously something to consider, but banks have managed it admirably. I think with health care some sort of biometric system would be ideal. I don't work in the IT or health area but would it make sense to have the individual files only viewable and amendable when the patient was present and able to give their fingerprint or whatever. Any additions made to the notes when the patient was not present would be held as pending until the patient authorised them, again with their prescence. The locked files would be stored nationally and only able to be opened locally when the individual was present. It requires a bit of trust, as obviously at some point anything on computer is accessible by someone with enough access / knowledge / authority, but if people are already doing this with their cash, why not health notes too. Is that to easy? if it happens can I have some of the proceeds?? ;-)