§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health under what powers, and in what circumstances, an NHS trust or other health body is permitted to pass information from patients' medical records to(a) his office and (b) the Prime Minister's office [32705].
§ Ms BlearsThe powers and circumstances under or in which national health service trusts and other health bodies may pass information from patients' medical records to my office and that of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, are limited by the common law and the legislation on data protection and human rights which we have put on the statute book. For example, information may be disclosed where the patient to whom it relates has consented or has deliberately taken steps to make it public.