Summary Care Records are central to the NHS computer upgrade in England Doctors' leaders have called for a halt in the development of a medical records database for patients in England.The British Medical Association says the computer-based Summary Care Records are being set up at "break-neck speed", sometimes without patients' knowledge. Ministers have expressed surprise at fears of fast change after previous criticism that it was moving slowly. The NHS IT upgrade will link more than 30,000 GPs to nearly 300 hospitals through an online appointments system. It will also feature a centralised medical records system for 50 million patients, e-prescriptions and faster computer network links. But the plans have received repeated criticism over security fears and a lack of enthusiasm among doctors for the technology. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. More from Today programme Doctors' leaders have written to the government calling for parts of the programme to be suspended.[Read more...]