MTAS and other NHS websites

[Roland Perry]

In article <463F488F.1040607@callnetuk.com>, PeteM <otcbn@callnetuk.com> 
writes
>>A good yarn apart from that! Although there's a  different Catch-22 
>>there, because the individual *is* still living so  the DPA would 
>>indeed apply - it's just that while HMG thinks they are  dead...
>
>You have forgotten doublethink, Winston.

No, because what you describe below was exactly what was in my mind when 
I posted what I did above.

>It is already practiced widely by government departments, especially 
>the tax people. They'd absolutely revel in applying it here:
>
>[phone call to HMRC call centre]
>Caller: "Hello, HMRC? I'm calling on behalf of my husband  ..."
>HMRC: "Sorry, I'm afraid we can't enter into any discussions with third 
>parties because of the Data Protection Act. Your husband must call us 
>himself."
>Caller: "But you won't take his phone calls, you say you've got him 
>down as deceased."
>HMRC: "He's deceased is he? Ah, in that case the Data Protection Act 
>doesn't apply and we can speak to you after all. How can we help?"
>Caller: "You've frozen all his bank accounts."
>HMRC: "Yes, that's right, we always do that with deceased persons."
>Caller: "But he's not dead, he's alive."
>HMRC: "He's alive? Are you sure?"
>Caller: "Of course I'm sure, he's my husband."
>HMRC: "Well in that case I'm afraid we can't enter into any discussions 
>with third parties, because of the Data Protection Act. Your husband 
>must call us himself ... "
>
>[rinse and repeat]

-- 
Roland Perry