§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take early steps to ensure that medical details relating to named patients are not disclosed in hospital invoices; and if he will propose legislation to make illegal breaches of confidentiality to or by accounts staff.
§ Mr. DorrellMedical details are encoded and means are being investigated for encrypting names in exchanges of data by computer and, in the longer term, eliminating the use of a name altogether. Strict procedures are already in place to protect confidentiality of personal health information by NHS staff and a breach of these is a disciplinary offence. Further legislation is unnecessary.