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Faced with the question, “Can technology save the NHS?” ( see issue 270, p30) as a technology person, my obvious reaction was positive and I found myself reading a really interesting article. There was much new information highlighting what can be done. I haven’t worn a watch for years, but I can see the time will shortly come when a smartwatch will be with me continuously. That is, when the geriatric-fitness version is released.

However, it wasn’t all good news. With a lifetime of computer experience behind me, I knew as soon as I read the words “technology-led development” that the Summary Care Record was going to be a tale of woe. We recognised 30 years ago that the more complicated the project, the more important it is to have both a complete and precise requirement specification at the beginning. And when the project is primarily to provide a service to users, the users are the best source of what is required.

Good treatment will clearly benefit with timely access to all relevant information. I expect almost every one of us would be happy for all our personal information to be available to those with our wellbeing in their hands, but not to all and sundry. Our data must be secure from criminal activity and human incompetence. But how? It occurred to me that perhaps the safest place for our data is with each of us, but that raises the issue of how to ensure it is available when needed, especially when the need is unexpected.

One thought was that a flash drive chip could be embedded; like chipping a dog, but more elaborate. This rather unsettling thought was still with me when I reached the end of the article and turned the page. And there it was, already happening. And now nuclear batteries have been invented, the issue of battery life will in fact be for life. And on that uplifting thought, I leave you until the next edition of Our Life In Our Hands; oh, and our robot carer, of course. Alan Wheatley