Citation

Dimond B. Accid. Emerg. Nurs. 1993; 1(2): 108-110.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0965-2302(93)90058-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accident and Emergency (A&E) staff have always been under pressure to disclose information. Such is the nature of their job and the tragedies which they encounter, that the police, press, media, relatives, friends, neighbours and even the general public make enquiries by phone, in person or even through others to glean every possible scrap of information. This paper looks at the law in relation to disclosure to the police. The prime duty is one of confidentiality of information obtained about and from the patient. This duty arises from the contract of employment, from professional duties set out by the UKCC (1992) and from the nature of the relationship with the patient. The duty is enforcable by the patient through an action for negligence alleging a breach in the duty of care owed by the professional to the patient. It is enforceable by the employer through disciplinary procedures and it is enforceable by the professional registration bodies through professional conduct hearings. The duty is clear. What causes anxiety and doubt is the question of when does the law permit or even insist on exceptions to the duty, so that others have a legal right to information which would otherwise be confidential?

Language: en