Health Professionals: Confidentiality

Mr. Todd
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the review of confidentiality obligations placed on health professionals as they relate to criminal investigations concerning the potential transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Caroline Flint
The Department’s Policy consultation on “Confidentiality and Disclosure of Patient Information—HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection” closed on 31 October 2006. We received over 70 replies, which officials are currently considering. This consultation is separate from the Crown Prosecution Service’s recent consultation on prosecuting cases following the sexual transmission of infections which cause grievous bodily harm.