Short Cuts: ACHCEW clashes with BMA over confidentiality

The Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales is seeking legal advice over British Medical Association guidelines which it fears will compromise patient confidentiality. Director Donna Covey urged the BMA to 'look again' at its guidance on confidentiality and disclosure of health information, in particular the assumption that patients have seen or understood notices alerting them to the use of personal data, and the risk of patients being identified from anonymised patient information. ACHCEW accused the BMA of 'jumping the gun' ahead of a Court of Appeal decision at the end of the month on the use of patient information.