Student files ‘secret’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 2

Student files ‘secret’

The doctor and student, and counsellor and student relationship is completely confidential, and no information is divulged without the request or consent of the student, said the director of the student health and counselling service for the University of Canterbury (Dr K. E. Ussher). Dr Ussher was replying to a correspondent “Demos,” who wrote: “The records of the University of Canterbury show that upon occasion, where students are concerned, gynaecologists’ files have been inspected by the University Council and the Vice-Chancellor, and students have been given access to confidential Health Department files. The Registrar can confirm this. So if members of the University Council and students have this right, why should the police not have the same right, where they consider it is in the public interests for them to do so?”

“The allegations made by your correspondent ‘Demos’ are totally without foundation, and if they weren’t so serious would be laughable,” said Dr Ussher. He said he was required to make an annual report about the activities of the student health and counselling service. This goes to the Vice-Chancellor and to the University Council,, and to the health and counselling committee, on which there were student representatives. However, the information in the report was statistical.

“Should your correspondent wish to shed the cloak of anonymity and contact me personally, I would be pleased to discuss this matter further.”