HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 6 December 1944, Page 2

HOSPITAL PATIENTS

THE PUBLICITY ISSUE STATUTES BILL CLAUSE CARRIED IN*THE HOUSE (P.R.) WELLINGTON. Dee. 6. Tiie clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill dealing with the prohibition ot disclosure of information concerning hospital patients was carried on tiie voices in the House of Representatives last evening ■ after several Opposition speakers had suggested that it should be and a new clause prepared for presentation next year to give adequate protection to hospital patients. Tiie Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, said that tiie fact of the matter was that over a long period there had been grave doubt and misunderstanding by hospital board officers, including medical men, as to their flu ties and responsibilities in the disclosure of information, and that had been particularly so in connection with information ihat might be used for the purpose of evidence in compensation eases. Cases were brought to his notice where medical men employed by an insurance company were in the habit of going to a hospital and asking for the files of certain patients, reading those files, ancl making use of that information for their private use and for their employers’ - benefit. When a case came before court he had asked that, in order to nrotect the interests of patients in hospitals, legislation should be drafted to safeguard them. There was no other purpose, in the clause. The opportunity had also been taken of stating specifically what information medical men or hospital officers might legitimately disclose.

: Mr. J. T. Watts (Opp., Riccarton) askecl why the provision was not made part of the Workers' Compensation Act so that it would then be in its. right perspective. Mr. Nordmeyer- replied that, apart from the question of compensation, there might be other reasons why a medical man wanted to know about a particular case. Mr. R. M. Algie (Opp.. Remuera) said the Opposition desired to see that protection was given to a patient-in hospital, but the clause, as. drawn, while affording that protection in one part, took it away in another' by specifying certain persons to whom information might be given and authorising the Minister to prescribe such other people or groups of people who might have access to information.