§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health why the non-statutory code of practice concerning the confidentiality of medical records, promised after the draft National Health Service Functions (Preservation of Confidentiality) Regulations were withdrawn in 1987, has yet to be published.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department is firmly committed to producing guidance on the confidentiality, use and disclosure of personal health information and intends to do so as soon as possible. We are seeking clarification of the law in relation to confidentiality, and as soon as this has been resolved, draft guidance will be issued for consultation.