In England, Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has promised that all NHS patients will have online access to their medical records by April 2015.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Hunt claimed England will be the first country in the world to offer such access to patient data.

“It means you will no longer have to pay to access your medical record. You’ll be able to see it and show it to anyone you choose. You’ll find it easier to do detailed research about your condition and easier to challenge decisions. Because the boss is not the doctor – it’s you,” he said.