Last year the NHS introduced a 'consent-to-view' model, whereby patients have to authorise any viewing of their record. But the record is still automatically uploaded unless they opt out.

That model was "an improvement, but not enough", the BMA said.

Doctors also argued today that they needed much more clarity on what will be stored on the SCR and in what format, so that it can be made useful.

"We understand about there initially being information on patient allergies and drugs," said Dr Grant Ingrams, a GP in Coventry who is on the NHS IT working group at the BMA. "But we would prefer more clarity on the second phase of information being added."

Under that phase, he said, the NHS plans to add hospital discharge letters and consultation reports to the SCRs. The BMA has said it will take time to see whether the information added and the format is useful.