§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any facilities are given by the National Health Service consultant radiologists when chiropractors treating patients request a sight of X-rays taken in hospital; and if he will issue advice to National Health Service doctors to co-operate with such requests in the interests of patients.
§ Dr. VaughanX-rays form part of the patient's case records used by doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. It is well established that access to these records is restricted by the ethics of the medical profession. It is for the doctor's clinical and ethical judgment what information should be diclosed to the patient or any other person. It would not be appropriate for my right hon. Friend to seek to direct clinicians in the exercise of their professional judgment. In deciding whether or not to make a patient's X-rays available to a chiropractor or other non-medical practitioners, a clinician will consider the best interest of the patient, including the importance of avoiding additional X-ray examinations.