Doctors fear Clause 152 of the Coroners and Justice Bill could damage patient confidentiality

[rhythmaning]

The BBC reports that

"Doctors have warned that plans to relax data sharing rules could damage patient confidentiality.

A group of eight leading medical groups have urged ministers to re-think the Coroners and Justice Bill, currently working its way through parliament.

The organisations, including the British Medical Association, said they had "grave concerns" it could open up medical records and damage trust."

One reason given by the Government for wanting this clause, which would enable any Minister by order to be able to take any information gathered for one purpose - across the public and private sector - and use it for any other purpose, is that it would make it easier for the bereaved to deal with Government agencies following a death. This is undoubtedly true. But it could be equally well achieved by having the first point of contact (usually a hospital) to ask the bereaved if they wanted the data shared.

We don't need an automatic - and dangerous - blanket opt-in when other options are available.

Comments

[frankie-ecap.livejournal.com]

I love that you're doing this.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

It is only because I can't think what else to do.

Manning the electronic barricades...

I am slightly torn between putting it here (in the semi-closed world of LJ) and Wordpress.

[frankie-ecap.livejournal.com]

Why should one exclude the other? This is who you are.