Hansard

Medical Records

Volume 402: debated on Tuesday 1 April 2003

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Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance he has issued on whether unconfirmed allegations by (a) members of the public, (b) relatives and (c) health professionals not involved in the care of an individual should be included in a patient's medical case notes. [105750]

Mr. Browne

It is a matter for professional judgment acting on the advice of professional bodies and organisations to determine what is recorded in a patient's medical notes in order to help in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what circumstances a patient can be denied access to information contained in his or her medical case notes. [105752]

Mr. Browne

Access to information contained in a patient's medical case notes may be denied if its disclosure, in the opinion of the holder of the record, would disclose information:

  • (a) likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient or any other individual, or,
  • (b) relating to or provided by an individual, other than the patient, who could be identified from the information.