§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to the Data Protection Commissioner about the confidentiality of medical patient records under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.[126086]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienNone.
The Data Protection Commissioner is fully independent of the Government. In carrying out her functions, she takes advice from no Minister. Rather, it is she who gives advice to the Government on data protection matters.
Individuals' medical records are covered by the Data Protection Act 1998. The requirements of the 1998 Act, including the Data Protection principles, apply to them as to any other personal data. It will be for the Commissioner to give any advice that might be needed about the particular implications of the 1998 Act given the confidential nature of medical records.