In England, the National Health Service (NHS) wants to equip those with statutory health insurance with sensors to remotely monitor their health. This is part of an initiative to modernize the health care system, according to the authority. Millions of patients are to receive so-called wearables that are attached directly to the body, such as smartwatches. They are intended to constantly monitor blood pressure, blood sugar levels and vital functions.
Although the devices are not yet sophisticated enough for data transmission to work reliably, according to journalist Norbert Häring in his report on the planned British surveillance initiative, “it is a ten-year plan and technical development is progressing very quickly.”
The economic expert is extremely critical of the expansion of surveillance in the health care system. For example, the blood values of a diabetes patient can be used to determine whether he or she is sticking to his or her diet. If the patient does not comply, the insured person can be punished or excluded from the insurance. The values also provide information on whether the patient has the medication and vaccines prescribed by the doctor in their blood.
If the patient does not comply with the instructions and prefers to use natural healing methods, for example, this could also lead to sanctions in terms of insurance coverage. However, Häring fears that monitoring the sick is only the beginning. In the long term, every insured person could be required to wear monitoring devices on their body. The journalist writes:
“At some point it will be the turn of the healthy people, who are supposed to stay healthy after all. Do they follow the officially recommended dietary rules? Do they do enough exercise? If not, they are punished.”
According to Häring, sensor monitoring of health insurance holders and criminals is just the beginning. Little by little, more and more population groups, including all those with statutory health insurance, could be subject to surveillance.
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gadgetsandwearables.com/2024/10/22/uk-nhs-smartwatch/
h/t 16 Blocks
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