The government has issued a statement to allay any data protection fears people may have over the new facility which gives patients access to their medical information.

A spokesman for Government Technology Services in the Cabinet Office said: ’It’s important to understand that this is not an ’online’ service in the sense of a publicly accessible website. It isn’t.

’It is a web-based application, accessible from an individual’s phone or other device, to which only they have access. ’This is through both a unique user ID and personally selected password.

’Signing up for Patient Access is not compulsory of course.

’Electronic data is no more inherently accessible than any other record-keeping method, and that includes paper files and patient logs.

’Once the patient has signed up for Patient Access all relevant medical information can be viewed through the application, excluding any documents and free-hand notes from the patient’s GP.

’The Patient Access system is also widely and very successfully used in the UK.’

Sign-up sessions are being held around the island.