§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances information on(a) medical and (b) other clinical records may be released without the knowledge and consent of the patient concerned; and if he will make a statement. [60387]
§ Mr. LammyInformation in medical or other clinical records may be released without the knowledge and consent of the patient concerned where the information concerned does not identify him or her. Where the information might identify the patient any release must satisfy the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and if the information is also held under obligations of confidentiality any release must comply with common law requirements. Additionally, the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 must be satisfied, there must not be a statutory prohibition against the release of information and, in the case of a public sector body, the body must have thevires to release information for the purpose in question.