Health secrecy

Press, 11 October 1979, Page 3

Health secrecy

PA WellingtonI Unauthorised access to [hospital computers and faillure to use them properly is 'punishable by up to three (years jail or a $5OOO fine, or . both, under the Hospitals I Amendment Bill introduced lin Parliament yesterday. I The Director-General of (Health and hospital boards (are required to take all reaisonable steps to prevent [unauthorised access to the (computer system. Improper connection of (the computer system to any i other apparatus, falsification of records and unlawful attempts to gain access to the system are made offences. The bill adds contractors working for hospital boards to the list of people not allowed to disclose medical information on patients.

Information on the condition of patients after an accident may, in certain circumstances, be given to the police; to -newspaper, radio, and television journalists; to a solicitor requesting it where the medical superintendent suspects the injury was self-inflicted; to a traffic officer; and where information is required under the Matrimonial Proceedings Act. This is already' permitted under notices issued by the Minister of Health, but the bill incorporates it in the Hospitals Act. The penaltv for unlawfully disclosing information about patients is increased to a maximum six months jail or a $2OOO fine. The bill makes it illegal to disclose information on a ! patient's medical history.