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Confidentiality and patient records: what can be disclosed?

6 mins read Patient privacy
This article is the third in a series of case studies illustrating the roles and responsibilities of the registered dental nurse. They will also describe the guidance that is available, and the steps necessary, to avoid the legal and ethical problems that will be discussed

Patients often ask ‘can I have my records please?’ Requests may also be made by others—such as spouses, relatives and the police or other agencies—who want to see a patient's records, or obtain information contained within those records.

Many requests may seem quite innocuous, or even trivial. For example, the question ‘did my wife/ husband have treatment at your surgery today?’ seems innocent, and almost certainly is. There may however be other motives behind the request. Does the person want to know why their spouse was, or was not, present because of problems with their relationship? Are they going through a divorce?

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