Call to protect patients’ records

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 2

Call to protect patients’ records

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 15.

“Very strong representations” made to the Minister of Justice (Dr Finlay) by the Hospital Boards’ Association on the confidentiality of patients’ records have pleased the Minister of Health (Mr McGuigan).

A copy of the representations, sent by the association’s executive last week, was given to Mr McGuigan. The association’s executive director (Mr P. C. Ryan) said today that Mr McGuigan had replied, saying he was pleased about the association’s concern. The president of the association (Mr H. G. West) said in a statement today that the executive was very concerned about the confidentiality of records. “The public interest requires that medical records of patients both in the private and public sector should at all times be confidential and be protected from disclosure without the patient’s consent,” Mr West said. The executive recognised, however, that privilege from disclosure should not be available to inhibit proper investigation of reasonably suspected criminal activities or offences. Mr West said the executive resolved that without prejudice to section 62 of the Hospitals Act—which provides for limited disclosure — very strong representations be made to the Minister of Justice to promote legislation to the effect that records of persons subject to medical treatment in hospi-| tals or by medical practitioners in private practice' be the subject of search and seizure only pursuant to a duly issued search warrant. The search warrant should!

have particulars of the precise offence suspected and the ambit of the search, and it should be issued only on the authority of a Stipendiary Magistrate or higher judicial officer. [A private member’s bill, seeking partial confidentiality of patient’s records, was introduced in Parliament last year by Mr M. K. Moore (Lab., Eden). It was held over to this year’s session.]