A HEART transplant patient who refused to sign a medical consent form because of concerns over confidentiality - has called for fresh answers from health bosses.

Dave Rowlands, of St Albans Road, Woodford Green has gone without vital blood pressure monitoring for more than six months after refusing to sign a form which would have allowed his medical data to be passed on to others.

The 65-year-old called for answers from Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT) and medical firm InHealth Netcare - which is contracted to provide the service - in the Guardian last week, but claims that neither organisation explained why patients should have to consent to their data being shared with third parties.

Mr Rowland's, who was told to have the treatment in April after being injured in a fall, said Redbridge PCT's response to his complaint last week simply confirmed the rule rather than explained it.

He said: "Unfortunately although Redbridge PCT and InHealth Netcare have both responded, neither of them has effectively explained their actions - all they have done is to confirm my complaint.

"I have no objection to my consultant and GP having the result of my blood pressure monitoring.

"What I resent – and do not understand – is the need for anyone else to know about it. If I have a blood test I don't have to give permission for the results to be given to anyone else so why should this be any different?

"Redbridge PCT claims to be concerned with 'strict patient confidentiality processes.' How is my confidentiality protected if I have to sign InHealth Netcare's form?"

Nick Mayhew, of Inhealth said: "The London NHS Diagnostic Service is delivered by InHealth on behalf of NHS London.

"InHealth, in order to comply with data protection, need to consent to transfer data. As previously mentioned, data is transferred for clinical audit and reporting reasons. InHealth completes these kind of transactions at least 400,000 times a year."

A spokesman for Redbridge PCT told the Guardian last week that patients were required to sign the InHealth Netcare form before receiving treatment, and that the data would be restricted in use.