§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which the system of medical confidentiality allows for full access to a child's medical records, with specific reference to those held by general practitioners. [69759]
§ Mr. LammyI have been asked to reply.
Access to the confidential medical records of children, held by general practitioners or other parts of the health service, must be in accordance with the law. This would normally require the consent of a competent child or of someone with parental responsibility for the child. Where there is no one able to provide this consent, the best interests of the child might justify access. Where consent is withheld or it is not appropriate to seek consent, access would be possible where there is a statutory basis for permitting it or where the holder of the record feels that matters of public concern outweigh obligations of confidentiality.