§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes in conjunction with health authorities and regions and others to guard against the unauthorised release to the press and media of confidential information about day or in-patients attending mental hospitals or treatment centres.
§ Mr. DorrellGuidance was issued to the NHS in 1956 which still applies, commending a routine procedure for answering press inquiries about the condition of individual patients. All persons within the NHS involved in the handling of personal health information owe a legal duty of confidence and fidelity both to patients and to the NHS. In the event of unauthorised disclosure it will be open to the relevant NHS authority to take appropriate disciplinary action against the employee concerned.