GMC guidelines - Confidentiality (Protecting and Providing Information)

Question 1

Patients right to confidentiality

Answer 1

Seek patient’s consent

Anonymise data

Keep disclosures to minimum

Question 2

Sharing information with parents

Answer 2

Patients have right to information about healthcare

Right to information about particular disease/condition

Question 3

“Health authority wants to conduct a PPV for claims I have made. Can I give them free access to records”

Answer 3

This is a disclosure for audit and planning

Obtain patients consent

Tell patient how records will be used. By writing to them

Give leaflets

Disclose minimum information

Question 4

“Patient suffers from serious mental illness. Very erratic and unstable. Insists condition does not affect driving”

Answer 4

If you consider patient as potential dangerous to others or himself

Inform medical adviser at DVLA

Tell patient about disclosure

Question 5

“Work with sex offenders who are transferred from prison to hospital. Patient has been discharged, but doesn’t intend to register address with police. Should I tell police”

Answer 5

Sex offenders act 1997 requires offender to register name and address with police

Disclosures without consent are justified if patient poses risk to others

Question 6

“Patient of mine is a doctor. I’am concerned his drinking problem could affect judgement”

Answer 6

If you believe issue puts others in danger then immediately inform GMC or employer

If issue is under control then closely monitor patient and take immediate action if drinking problem gets worse

Question 7

“Child is victim to parental abuse. You have been asked to provide information about part 8 review. Father is refusing to give information about child”

Answer 7

Part 8 reviews are used to analyse abuse situations and how it can be prevented in other families

Therefore override father and provide information

In exceptional circumstances you may have to discuss decision with GMC