“Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information”
New GMC guidance on confidentiality comes into effect on 25 April 2017.
The last guidance was published in 2009. The general principles remain but the new guidance clarifies a number of issues such as when doctors are expected to make disclosures in the public interest, implied consent and the role of the patient in their care.
The guidance includes a helpful decision making flowchart and common dilemmas doctors face such as reporting criminal activity.
The first point of contact remains your Caldicott or information guardian however advice on patient confidentiality is a topic we at Kings View Chambers are often asked about and a common topic of complaints made by patients and their relatives against doctors.
If you are the subject of a complaint or GMC referral relating to an alleged breach of patient confidentiality call us, we can help.
