INDEX

 

Introduction Page 1

History of Confidentiality Page 2-3

Statutory Provisions Page 4

Data Protection Act 1998 Page 4-6

Other important statutes Page 6

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 Page 6

Abortion Act Page 6

Road Traffic Act 1988 Page 7

National Health Service (Dental Services) Page 7

The NHS Confidentiality code of practice Page 7

H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Page 7-8

Births, Deaths Registration Act 1953 Page 8

Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 1990 Page 8

Terrorism Act 2005 Page 8

Access to Health Records Act 1990 Page 8-9

Access to Medical Records Reports 1985 Page 9

Access to Health Records Act 1990 Page 9

Disclosure in the Public Interest Page 9-11

Children and confidentiality Page 11

Freedom of the Press Page 11-12

Conclusion Page 12-13

References Page 14-16

Bibliography Page 17-19

ABBREVIATIONS

BDC British Dental Council

GDC General Dental Council

GMC General Medical Council

HMRC H M Revenue & Customs

PACE Police and Criminal Evidence Act

PCTS Primary Care Trusts

 

INTRODUCTION

 

It is the duty of dentists and their staff to respect confidentiality. They have a legal, ethical

and statutory obligation to keep their patients information in any form, private.

General Dental Council, Maintaining Standards(2005) al. 3.5

‘The dentist/patient relationship is founded on trust and a dentist should not disclose to a

third party information about a patient acquired in a professional capacity without the

permission of the patient’

As stated by Dental Protection Advice Sheet ‘Confidentiality’ 2011

‘The obligation extends to all members of staff’. This duty of confidentiality also extends to all

employees, contractors, students and other associated healthcare workers.

The GDC Standards for the dental team details in Standard 4

‘Maintain and Protect Patient’s Information’

4.2 of the GDC also provides guidelines relating to confidentiality which the dentist and the

team must understand

4.2.1 Confidentiality is centred to the relationship and trust between you and your patients.

You must keep patient information confidential

4.2.2 You must ensure that non-registered members of the team are aware of the

importance of confidentiality

4.2.3 You must not post any information or comments about patients on social networks or

blogging sites

4.2.4 You must not talk about patients or their treatments in places where you can be

overheard by people who should not have access to the information you are discussing.

It is also the responsibility of the practice to ensure that all records are kept secure and

registered under the Data Protection Act (1988).

Living on a small island of 84,497 (Isle of Man Census Report, 2011). The reassurance of

the patient of confidentiality and trust is paramount for the growth of a business and practice

and discussed as well.This is discussed in general terms in

 

Trust in the dentist relationship, Jacques (2005)

In conclusion, ‘Trust is the foundation of a successful patient-dentist relationship as with all

other relationships.’

In reviewing and researching the topic of patient confidentiality I immediately became aware

that I, staff and also patients would benefit from an educational resource which will reinforce

and re-educate individuals on the subject of confidentiality and the issues surrounding the

subject.

History of Confidentiality

The original basis of confidentiality extends back to the Hippocratic Oath some 2400 years

ago. The principle of confidentiality confirms that patients can trust healthcare professionals,

not to publicize patient’s information.

The original source states;

‘Whatever in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I see or

hear in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad. I will not divulge, as

reckoning that all should be kept secret.’

However, if we analyse this quote ‘Which ought not’ we can assume that this was not an

absolute and hence depended on the discretion of the doctor.

The Declaration of Geneva 1947 removed this ‘discretionary’ power and recited on absolute

duty in the form:

‘I will respect the secrets confided in me, even after the patient has died.’ This important duty

is demonstrated in Bluck v Information Commissioner (2007)

In general any information that is obtained in confidence should remain so. The duty

however is not an absolute one. In general any information obtained in confidence can be

disclosed if:

 

  1. The patient provides consent
  2. The information is in the public interest – see cases discussed
  3. Disclosure of interest is provided by statute
  4. The data cannot identify the individual, RV Department of Health exp Source

Informatics Ltd. (2001)

Early case law (although not medical) clearly demonstrates a duty of confidence.

Fraser v Evans (1969) 1QB 341 Lord Denning stated;

 

‘The jurisdiction is based not so much on property or on a contract as on the duty to be of

good faith. No person is permitted to divulge to the world information which he has received

in confidence.’

The same principle was reiterated in Hunter v Mann (1974)

‘In common with the professional men the doctor is under duty not to disclose without the

consent of the patient, information which he the doctor has gained in his professional

capacity, save….in very exceptional circumstances.’

However, due to the doctor failing to provide this information ‘under public interest’ he was

fined. The same basic principle has been illustrated many times.

W v EdgeII (1990) This case involved a psychiatric patient who requested relocation and

long term discharge. The doctor Edgell produced a report based on his findings that he

should not be relocated or discharged due to his continued interest in firearms.

In conclusion W. V. Edgell (1990) withdrew his application and applied for an injunction

against the doctor from disclosing the report. Edgell brought a case under a breach of

confidence and an action of breach of contract.

In this case there was no doubt a duty of confidence by the doctor, however ‘the breadth of

that duty’ was carefully considered. The court held that the defendant Edgell had not

breached equitable duty of confidence and referred to General Medical Council (GMC)

guidelines as this time.

 

General Medical Council Rule 81 states:

 

‘Rarely, disclosure may be justified on the grounds that it is in the public interest which, in

certain circumstances, for example an investigation by the police of a grave or very serious

crime could override the doctors’ duty to maintain his patient’s confidence.’

The obligation to keep the information provided to the healthcare professional is not absolute

as discussed in case law and this assignment there are cases where:

  1. The law obliges the healthcare professional to breach confidentiality, there is a duty

to give the information freely.

  1. The law allows the health care professional to breach confidentiality

The law in general obliges the health care professional to maintain confidentiality but may

disclose in public interest only or if they consider disclosure to outweigh confidentiality of the

individual. No breach of confidentiality will occur if the patient provides consent or if in the

information provided the individual cannot be identified. R v Department of Health ex parte

Source Informatics Ltd (2001)

3

The healthcare professional under the Data Protection Act 1998 is obliged to fairly and

lawfully process patient data.

Statutory provisions

There are some statutory provisions which the dental team and management must consider

and may require positive disclosure of confidential information. These will be discussed in

detail within this literature review.

 

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act 1998 controls how personal data is processed and used

electronically or manually. It replaces the original enacted Data Protection Directive

95 146/EC. This personal data includes medical/dental and health records including x-rays

and images. It does not include verbal communications which have not been physically

recorded. The act applies to identifiable living individuals who can be identified from that

information. The act does not cover information relating to someone who has died. This is

covered by the Access to Health Records Act 1990.

The Act introduces eight data protection principles that detail standards for processing data.

The data as by the act must be;

• Fairly and lawfully processed

• Processed for limited purposes

• Adequate, relevant and not excessive

• Accurate and not kept for longer than necessary

• Processed in line with the data subject

• Secure

• Not transferred to countries outside the E.U. without adequate protection

 

The Data Protection Act 1998 now should be read with the Freedom of Information Act 2000

which includes elements of the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act replaces the Access to

Health Records Act 1990. The Act by virtue of S 68(2) a health record is defined as one

which:

  1. a) Consists of information relating to the physical or mental health or condition of an

individual

  1. b) Has been made by or on behalf of a health care professional in connection with the care

of the individual

 

The Data Protection Act provides legislation whereby if a breach is found section 55 (11)

makes it a criminal offence and under such circumstance 55 (A) a financial penalty payable

to the Data Protection Commissioner can be imposed which can then be enforced via the

civil courts. Compensation can also be made to the patient or person who has suffered

distress as a result of the breach.

The Data Protection Act 1998 provides individuals with access to their medical records,

however case law demonstrates that there is no absolute right of access to all medical

records.

R V Mid-Glamorgan Family Health Service Authority ex Parte Martin (1995)

The case highlighted the fact that the health authority can deny a patient access to their

medical records if it is in the best interests of the patient to do so.

This case involved a patient who had a background of psychological problems who had

repeatedly requested access to his medical records all of which were prior to 1991.

Sir Robert Parker rejected at appeal that at common law the medical professional had an

absolute right to a patient’s records whilst rejecting that a patient had an absolute right to

access them.

The court held that in considering medical records there was no common duty of access and

the health authority could refuse disclosure if it was considered in the best interests of the

patient.

 

Roberts vs Nottinghamshire Health Care Trust (2005)

A patient at a high security psychiatric hospital who was suffering from mental illness was

not entitled under the Data Protection Act 1998 to full disclosure of a report to be used in a

mental health review.

On review of the reasoning behind this it was found compelling not to disclose and no

injustice had been caused at the patient had opportunity to present his own psychological

evidence.

 

Two cases which demonstrate the approach which The European Court of Human Rights

have considered are:

1) MS v Sweden (1997) this case involved the release of medical records to an insurance

company without the patients consent. As a result of the medical information being provided

no compensation was provided.

However, it was found that article 8 of The Human Rights Act was not breached. The court

explained that the protection of the economy by ensuring compensation was only paid in the

correct circumstances and the staff to whom the information was disclosed had their own

duty of confidentiality. Here no case of confidentiality was breached.

2) Z v Finland (1998) where Z applied for relief to the European Courts of Human Rights that

her privacy was violated after her HIV status was disclosed during her husband’s criminal

trial. One of the critical issues in this trial was in fact her husband’s HIV status.

The court rejected Z claim that her medical records and the court ordering her doctor to

provide evidence was in breach of article 8 of the Human Rights Act as disclosure of the

medical records outweighed her right to confidentiality.

 

Other important statutes

 

Statute creates an exception or justification to the obligation of confidentiality. In specific

cases of Disclosure a court order can be made. The healthcare professional can object to its

disclosure but the final decision of the judge is binding. There are several statutory laws

which require full disclosure.

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

This act informs the healthcare professional that they must notify a local authority officer if

they believe a patient has a notifiable disease.

Notification of a number of specified infectious diseases is required under The Public Health

(Infectious Diseases) Act (1988) and The Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act (1984).

New (amended) regulations for clinical notifications came into force on 6 April 2010.

An updated list can be found at https://www.gov.uk/notifiable-diseases-and-causativeorganisms-

how-to-report

 

The act excludes HIV and AIDS. This is so that patients with HIV and AIDS must not feel at

risk of reporting their illness or seeking help.

Abortion Act 1962

All abortions must be recorded providing the name of the woman and address of the woman

concerned. Regulation 5 of this act ensures that all of this information is kept confidential.

Road Traffic Act 1988

Section 172 of 1988 Road Traffic Act obliges that all people including dentists and

healthcare professionals must provide the police with the name and address of any

individual who they suspect have committed a traffic offence.

National Health Service (Dental Services) Contract regulations 2006 in England and Wales

 

Although my practice in Isle of Man is not NHS based we do refer to NHS doctors and other

practices. Under this act the dentist has the duty to disclose any dental records the board

may request within 14 days.

 

The NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice

 

This code of practice sets out clearly confidentiality procedure which health services, NHS

trust, PCTS and other bodies must comply with. A copy can be read at www.dh.gov.uk

H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

The Taxes Management Act (1970) section 19A may make an application for patient record

cards, copies of NHS schedules and other confidential associated material.

In Guyer v Walton (2001) the persons were required to provide dental record cards and

other documents to the HMRC. The issues considered were, if the requested documents

were necessary for such an investigation, did a duty of confidentiality exist and preclude the

disclosure, was the document precluded by legal privilege and would the above contravene

the Human Rights Act 1998 Sch 1 Part 1 Act 1 or Data Protection Act 1998.

Judge Brice dismissed the appeal and found that the documents were reasonably required

and hence the duty of confidentiality was overwritten.

However, a recent case Long v Revenue and Customs Commissioners (2013) involved the

request of appointment diaries for assessment. In a letter dated 7th May 2013 HMRC stated:

‘The appointments diary will help me check your income and expenditure.’

Following review and appeal the courts found that the diaries consisting of two A4 sized

pages with no financial information was not a reasonable request. The patient’s

confidentiality was upheld and Dr. Long did not have to produce the business diaries to the

HMRC.

 

It is worthy to note that all financial matters relating to patients should be recorded if possible

on a separate sheet to clinical records. Where a request by HMRC is obtained, advice

should always be requested and clinical details of a confidential matter concealed in all

circumstances.

Births, Deaths Registration Act 1953

Parents have a legal duty to register the birth details of all children born in the UK within 42

days of the birth.

Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 1990

 

The Act regulates the control of embryos and all doctors must provide the names of the

patients who register.

 

Terrorism Act 2005 and PACE 1984

 

This Act provides a legal obligation of all individuals including dentists to provide information

that may help in the act of terrorism. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) (1984)

provides the core framework for police in order to investigate, detain and interview people.

Under this act a dentist may be ordered to provide evidence. Further discussion is found

later under ‘Disclosure in Public Interest’.

Access to Health Records Act 1990

There is no clear confidentiality and legal obligation in death. However in the interests of all

patients confidentiality is believed to be held in death. GDC” Standards For the Dental Team”

(2013 ) states

 

“You must keep patient information confidential even after patients die “

Maintaining confidentiality in death also protects blood relatives and third parties in some

circumstances. Bluck v Information Commissioner (2007), this case involved a mother

requesting disclosure of her deceased daughter’s medical records.

The Epsom Trust had already admitted liability and damages had been awarded. The

mother wished to disclose the deceased daughter’s records but the trust under section 41,

Freedom of Information Act (2000), argued the duty of confidence continued in death.

The Information Commissioner agreed with the hospital refusals to disclose the deceased

records and at tribunal came to the decision that confidentiality was valid and upheld. Duty

of confidentiality survived the patient’s death.

 

However, access to the deceased medical records can be allowed to a limited group of

people through The Access to Health Records Act (1990). Disclosure should always be

made promptly and it is up to the data controller to ensure that the person is the patient’s

personal representative.

 

The Department of Health (2010) guidance indicates that access to the deceased medical

records can be made in the absence of a statutory provision if it is believed to be in public

interest.

Lewis v Secretary of State for Health and another (2008), related to a case involving nuclear

power workers at Sellafield who had knowingly consented to have their tissues sampled

upon death 1962-1991. However, it was also noted by the Secretary of State that tissues

from workers at other nuclear establishments had also been taken. The Redfern Inquiry into

human tissue analysis was confidential, yet it was unclear if consent had been obtained from

these patients prior to removal.

 

The judgement found that the public interest in the disclosure of the material outweighed the

public interest in maintaining confidentiality of medical records. The court also emphasised

that any disclosure be on strict terms of confidentiality and no information would be made

public.

 

Access to Medical Reports Act 1988

 

This act gives the patient restricted access to a medical report produced for employment or

insurance purposes. If a medical report or dental report is produced for an employer,

insurance party or third party it is still a contentious point if implied consent to be examined

allows disclosure. Kapadia v London Borough of Lambeth (2000). At the court of appeal it

was found that the medical report ‘could be disclosed by the doctor to the employers.’

However, today, ethically the doctor could and would have breached confidentiality. In all

cases advice should be obtained from medical, dental or healthcare regulators in such

circumstances. The Patient can ask you not to send a report .

Access to Health Records Act 1990(section 3)

This now relates to the deceased records only. The deceased family may apply under this

act for disclosure records.

Disclosure in the Public Interest

As discussed, consent should always be asked of the individual first however, if it is believed

that the person is a victim of neglect SDC guidelines say, ‘Where a patient puts their health

and safety at serious risk or if you think that you have confidential information which would

help prevent or detect serious crime or abuse, the dentist or healthcare professional should

disclose the facts to the relevant authority. It should be done so with the patient’s best

interest at heart.’

If an individual has contracted a disease or is at risk to an individual or to the public then

advice and help from Dental Protection or dental advisor should be taken. The public interest

to disclose must outweigh, ‘both the public interest in maintaining confidentiality and the

obligation of confidentiality to the individual.’

Serious crimes such as, case of suspected child abuse, rape, treason, a patient is putting

their own health and safety at serious risk, murder, crimes for financial gain or loss,

terrorism, road traffic accident.

 

Court orders are normally required to disclose such information. A dentist who fails to do so

may be found in contempt of court. However, in the case of Gaskin v Liverpool City Council

(1980) it was found that Liverpool City Council should not be found to produce confidential

9

files of club. This again demonstrates that it is possible to contest orders but in general

would not apply to a dentist.

The General Dental Council v Savery and other (2011) involved disclosure of 14 patient’s

records. Out of the 14 patients 10 objected to their disclosure whilst four failed to respond. In

conclusion a court commented:

‘The fact that the patient’s in question object to disclosure, or do not consent to it, does not

affect the position. The reason the GDC is given statutory authority to make use of patient

records in this way is because of public interest.

The case of W v Egdell (1990), also reinforces this concept that the duty of confidentiality

can be overridden in the interests of protection of the public.

In Hunter v Mann (1974), the case involved a doctor who had treated drivers of a suspected

accident who had subsequently left the scene. In court Dr Hunter argued that the absolute

privilege not to disclose confidential information was guarded under the duty of

confidentiality. The courts found in favour of the doctor and stated:

‘In common with other professional men, the doctor is under duty not to disclose (voluntarily)

without the consent of the patient, information which he, the doctor, has gained in his

professional capacity. Boreham, J (1974).

 

Today a dentist’s duty of confidentiality is outlined by the GDC. It is a complex area that

involves the law, professional ethics, the Data Protection Act (1998) and the Human Rights

Act (1998), Health and Social Care Act 2001 and acts relating to terrorism and war.

In conclusion information may be disclosed in public interest if;

 

  1. Disclosure is made only to them whom it is necessary to disclose (i.e. not to everyone)
  2. The risk must be a ‘real risk’
  3. The risk should involve physical harm to the public

Children and confidentiality

Heathcare professionals owe a duty of confidentiality to the parents of a child but case law

also demonstrates that all clinical situations are different and the subject of confidentiality

and the young adult must always be considered. Those aged 16/17 years old are assumed

to have the capacity to consent and hence have the same duty of confidentiality as adults.

The same should apply to a Gillick (1986) competent child under 16 years of age.

Care should be considered in providing all young adults with advice and treatment as it is

best practice to encourage the child to discuss the condition with the parent. Although the

healthcare professional should not do so without the consent of the competent child.

 

We must consider however that confidentiality can be breached if a healthcare professional

believed the competent child in refusing life threatening treatment. In the case of RE v A

minor (1990), the court considered a case whereby a practising Jehovah Witness (aged 15)

refused transfusions. The local authority made the child a ward of court and the court

authorised the transfusion on the fact that the patient had no realisation of the full process

that lay before him.

 

Freedom of the Press

 

Another interesting concept to investigate is the Freedom of Expression in the media and

public interest. Case law details many cases such as X v Y (1998). This case involved a

newspaper who wished to release the name of two doctors who had HIV. Although

potentially the information could be in the interest of the public, consideration was given to

the probability and risk the patients were place in due to the disease. The courts found that

this was minimal and hence the paper was refused disclosure.

Campbell v MGN (2004), in this case the model Naomi Campbell was photographed leaving

a narcotics meeting. She pleaded ‘breach of confidence’ arguing that her confidential

information had been disclosed. The House of Lords ruled that the Mirror newspaper was

liable.

 

Lord Hope stated:

 

‘The right to privacy had to be balanced against the right of the media to impart information

to the public and the right of the media to impart information to the public has to be balanced

in turn against the respect that must be given to private life’.

In this case, the court concluded there was little public interest in the story and Campbell

had a right to have her privacy.

Conclusion

Confidentiality is a duty based perspective of dental practice life. The relationship between

dentist and patient is based on the understanding that information divulged will not be

provided without patient consent. It involves not only the dentist but also all those associated

with dental practice. Confidentiality is the building block of great patient relationships

whereby the patient should be confident that all information disclosed in the practice is

provided in confidence and will be kept that way even in death.

Breaches of confidentiality tend in general to be in advertent and complaints usually brought

before the professional regulators rather than the courts. The British Medical Association

(2008) states that ‘public interest can only be determined definitively by the courts.’ Records

should never be given to solicitors, insurance firms, police or any other third party without

the consent of the patient. Public Interest and Disclosure of records or information should

really be justified after seeking advice from the regulators or defence organisation first.

On review of our own confidentiality procedures and workflow it was noted that the last 15

years we have never had a complaint relating to confidentiality although after review of all

risks relating to confidentiality it was considered a review of ‘Confidentiality and Risk

Assessment’ would be produced as a matter of practice improvement. As a group of 5

practices we also noted that we had never been approached or even considered disclosure

in ‘public interest’ or in fact under any other act.

This immediate practice has been halted as a result of this literature review and assessment.

 

  1. Call centre and electronic records:

 

On review of confidentiality and our electronic computer system we noted that the medical

history and in fact all the clinical notes were accessible by all clerical staff. On review and

discussions with R4 (Kodak) the suppliers we were able to limit access to clinical notes and

medical information hence ensuring that only essential information was shared in house in

order to improve patient confidentiality.

 

  1. Reception

 

Often questions which contain confidential information are discussed at reception. All staff

have been reminded of their duty and should request that such information is discussed

away from reception.

As a member of a caring profession ‘Dentistry’ confidentiality in my opinion should always be

maintained. I expect my personal confidentiality to be maintained and I believe my patients

should expect this also.

 

Confidentiality, personally and as a dentist is an ethical duty which is a core attribute to great

patient care which I believe should always be adhered to. As stated by the Care Quality

Commission Essential Standards of Quality and Safety March 2010.

Outcome 1: Respecting and involving people who use services

People who use services: Have their privacy, dignity and independence respected.

In conclusion areas whereby confidential information may be requested or required should

always be considered in depth prior to release of such information. Guidance from dental

advisors, GDC or BDA should always be sought.

Prior to disclosure and full appraisal of the situation assessed. Confidential information

should as defined be kept confidential in the majority of circumstances and the staff, practice

and practitioners at all times should respect this.

 

REFERENCES

 

Abortion Act (1962), Regulation 5

Access to Health Records Act (1990) S68 (2)

Access to Medical Records Reports 1985

Boreham, J (1974), Hunter v Mann, QB 76

Births, Deaths Registration Act (1953)

Bluck v Information Commissioner (2007) 98 BMLRI

Campbell v MGN (2004) 2AC 457

Care Quality Commission Essential Standards of Quality & Safety, March 2010

Data Protection Act 1988

Data Protection Act 1998

Data Protection Directive 95 146/EC

Denning, L (1969) Frazer v Evans, 1 QB 341

Dental Protection: http://www.dentalprotection.org (accessed 18th December 2014)

Department of Health (Feb, 2010)‘Guidance for access to health records request’

Freedom of Information Act (2000) Sec 41

Gaskin v Liverpool City Council (1980)

General Dental Council (May,2005) ‘Principles of Patient Confidentiality’

General Dental Council v Savery and other (2011) EW HC 3011

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisebech Area Health Authority (1986) AC112

Guyer v Walton (2001)

H (Healthcare worker) v N (Health Authority) (2002) EWCA CIV 195

Health and Social Care Act (2001)

Human Fertilization and Embryology Act (1990)

Human Rights Act, (1998) Sch 1, Part 1, Act 1

Hunter v Mann (1974) 2WLR 742 (1974) 1QB 767

Isle of Man Census Report (2011)

Jacques, J (2005) Trust in the dentist relationship, UCLA

Kapadia v London Borough of Lambeth (2000) 57 BMLR 170

Lewis v Secretary of State for Health and another (2008) A11 ER 90

Long v Revenue and Customs Commissioners (2013)

MS v Sweden (1997) 45 BMLR 133 ECHR

RE v A minor (1990) 9BMLR1

Road Traffic Act (1988), section 172

R v Department of Health ex parte, Source information Ltd. (2000) 1A11 ER 786

RV Department of Health ex parte, Source Informatics Ltd. (2001) QB42

R V Mid-Glamorgan Family Health Service Authority ex Parte Martin (1995) 1 WLR 110

Roberts vs Nottinghamshire Health Care Trust (2005) EWHC 1934 QB

Terrorism Act (2005)

The Declaration of Geneva 1947 amended at (Sydney, 1968; Venice, 1983; Stockholm,

1994; 2005)

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) (1984)

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act (1984), Infectious Diseases Act (1988) updated

list [online] https://www.gov.uk/notifiable-diseases-and-causative-organisms-how-to-report

Accessed 18 December 2014

The Taxes Management Act (1970) section 19A

W v Edgell (1990) 2WLR 742 (1990)1 A11 ER 835 (1990) CH359

Z v Finland (1998) 25 EH RR 371

X v Y (1998) 2 A11 ER 648

Legislation Cited

Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c.11) s.19

Finance Act 2008 (c.9) Sch.36

Finance Act 2008 (c.9) Sch.36 para.1

  1. v Inland Revenue Commissioners Ex p Taylor (No2)

[1990] 2 All E.R. 409; [1990] S.T.C. 379; 62 T.C. 578; CA (Civ Div); 1990-03-22

Taxes Management Act 1970 (c.9) s.49C

Taxes Management Act 1970 (c.9) s.9A

 

Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Tax Chamber) Rules 2009 (SI 2009/273) r.39

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

A-G Guardian Newspapers Ltd. (1990) AC109

BDA Advice Sheet B1 Ethics in Dentistry (March, 2009), London British Dental Association

Coco Engineering v An Clark (Engineer) (1969) RPC 41

Dental Advice Series: Confidentiality London

Duchess of Argyll v Duke of Argyll (1967) 1 Ch.302

Medical Law (Samantha & Samantha) (2011)

National Health Service (Dental Services) Contract regulations 2006 in England and Wales

The NHS Confidentiality code of practice [online] http://www.dh.gov.uk

Palmer v Tees Health Authority (1997) Lloyds Reports 351

POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE Act 1984 – http://0-

login.westlaw.co.uk.brum.beds.ac.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?

&srguid=i0ad82d080000014a6b9d94e9312b6da8&docguid=IC64CD2E0A91F11E2B7A5FE

7C22DD236C&hitguid=IC64CDR2E0A91F11E2B7A5FE7C22DD236C&rank=1&spos=1&ep

os=1&td=4000&crumb-action=append&context=86&resolvein=true Accessed December

2014

R v Mid-Glamorgan Family Health Services Ex parte Martin

Roberts v Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Queen’s Bench Division, (01 August

2008)

Stephens v Avery (1988) 1 Ch449

Tarasoff v The Regents of the University of California (1976) 17 Col 3d 358

Thomas Marshall v Guinle (1979) 1 Ch.227

Unlocking Medical Law & Ethics (Carr) Hodder Education 2012

Legislation Cited

[1] Brazier M. Medicine, Patients and the Law, 3rd Ed. Ch 3. London: Penguin 2003

[2] GMC. Confidentiality: protecting and providing information. (2004)

[3] Mason J K, McCall Smith R A, Laurie G T. Law and Medical Ethics 6th Ed. Ch 10.

London: Butterworths, 2002.

[4] W v Egdell [1990] 1 All ER 835

17

[5] GMC. Good Medical Practice. (2001)

[6] GMC. Serious communicable diseases. (1998)

Websites

http://www.dentalprotection.org/docs/librariesprovider4/dental-advice-booklets/

confidentiality—excluding-scotland.pdf?sfvrsn=10

http://www.cdsbc.org/~ASSETS/DOCUMENT/CDSBC_Dental_Recordkeeping_May2013.pdf

http://dentiststudybuddy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ethics-in-dentistry-advisorysheet.

pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_health_record

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_record

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Documents/

PatientConfidentiality[1].pdf

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Documents/

PatientConfidentiality[1].pdf

http://www.gmc-uk.org/static/documents/content/Confidentiality_-_English_0914.pdf

http://www.gov.im/media/207882/census2011reportfinalresized_1_.pdf

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/health

http://www.jyi.org/issue/trust-in-the-dentist-patient-relationship-a-review/

Long vs Revenue and Customs Commissioners http://0-

login.westlaw.co.uk.brum.beds.ac.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?

&srguid=i0ad82d080000014a6b816dd8909acb2a&docguid=I3DBE00F0A01011E3BC05B4D

D38067CDB&hitguid=I3DBE00F0A01011E3BC05B4DD38067CDB&rank=2&spos=2&epos=

2&td=13&crumb-action=append&context=16&resolvein=true

http://www.inbrief.co.uk/employees/employer-access-to-medical-records.htm

http://www.magicandmedicine.hps.cam.ac.uk/on-astrological-medicine/further-reading/

history-of-medical-record-keeping

http://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/resources/factsheets/england/england-factsheets/ukeng-

access-to-health-records

http://mymedicalapp.com

http://www.nasbhc.org/atf/cf/%7BCD9949F2-2761-42FB-BC7A-CEE165C701D9%7D/

TA_HIT_history%20of%20EMR.pdf

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Documents/

PatientGuidanceBooklet.pdf

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Documents/

PatientGuidanceSummaryA4.pdf–

http://www.nmc-uk.org/nurses-and-midwives/advice-by-topic/a/advice/confidentiality/

https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Declaration_of_Geneva.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364912000209

http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/employment-rights/health-and-safety/sicknessabsence/

confidentiality-and-medical–

http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2010/05/28/medical-records-not-as-private-as-may-firstappear-

under-human-rights-law/

http://www.wpro.who.int/publications/docs/MedicalRecordsManual.pdf

 

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