Donate SIGN UP

Stopping a doctor from revealing secrets

Avatar Image
marmaduke | 23:22 Thu 23rd Jun 2005 | Body & Soul
4 Answers

How far can you go to stop a doctor (psychological, medical, etc) who is intent on revealing personal secrets of his patients, not allowed under the Hippocratic oath? Is it indeed illegal? Can you use force?

Gravatar

Answers

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by marmaduke. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
I don't think it's illegal particulary, but a doctor can only divulge medical information if teh patient is a minor or in a potentially life threatening situation.  I think anyway, not 100% sure.
your dr has a duty to be confidential ,ie not reveal secrets to anyone.If he has your expressed permission he can give reports to 3rd parties (insurance co etc).If he thinks that some of your secrtes can cause harm to others and he can prevent the harm on balance he may divulge them .eg if you arre a mass murderer and have confessed to him or less extremely if you are epileptic not taking your medication and a bus driver on the school run.( it has happened).Within the team that your dr works ,nurses psychologist counselors he may seek advice or refer your case on and this would process would involve some information transfer. If your dr is divulging your medical details carelessly outside these boundariesor indeed maliciously then contact GMC
Use the freedom of information act. write to your NHS trust and ask how many times your medical info has been divulged to third parties. Quote the freedom of information act and they will have to reply.

Note that it will be within the GMC's powers to strike the doctor off if they feel that is suitable. 

I can't add much else because the other answers have been so good!!!

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Stopping a doctor from revealing secrets

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.