Maternity and Child Welfare Records

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XIV, Issue 2, 1 April 1921, Page 76

Maternity and Child Welfare Records

A report of considerable interest on the production m police courts of medical records was presented recently to the Bet'hnal Green Borough Council by its Public Health Committee. It appears that the borough medical officer was called as a witness under a Crown Office subpoena, and ordered to produce certain documents m his custody relating to the birth and after-care of a certain infant. The case "was taken under the Bastardy Acts at a Metropolitan police court, and the documents were required to sustain a certain allegation. The medical officer, after consultation with the town clerk, attended the court and pointed out that the production of the documents was against public policy. The case was adjourned, and the magistrate later expressed the view that the documents should be produced m order to assist justice. Ultimately the case was decided m the absence of the documents. The matter has been reported to the Ministry of Health, which has replied to the effect that it was

doubtful whether the documents m the possession of a local authority were privileged m the same sense as those m the possession of a Government department, but that it was desirable that -such privilege should be claimed. The committee is strongly of opinion that the possibility of the production m open, court of the records which are a necessary part of the council's maternity and child welfare work may weaken the confidence of the mothers m the private character of such records, and may thus seriously prejudice the success of the work. It has directed that the facts be laid before the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee for consideration. — From "Nursing Mirror." [A similar question came up during a commission of enquiry into St. Helens Hospital, Aueklarid, during which charge after charge was successfully refuted. Mrs. Emily Nicoll tried to obtain the records m order to bring up something fresh. It was then ruled that the records of patients were confidential.]