>From: Dr Matthew Cooke <[log in to unmask]>
Many of us know one or two pubs/clubs that create a lot of problems. Why
shouldn't the licensing authorities be aware of how many A&E attendances
came from that club before they decide about renewing the licence?
Shouldn't BAEM be issuing some guidance on this?
Dr Matthew Cooke
------>
"Many of us know" a lot of things about many people/places/groups/
organisations that could lead to problems for them. The reason we don't tell
is our duty of confidentiality to our patients, breached only when we can
see that disclosure is mandatory as the ONLY LIKELY WAY to prevent probable
harm to others.
"Why shouldn't the licensing authorities be aware..." - Of course they
should be aware of what clubs are associated with the most violence, which
drivers drive under the influence of alcohol, which politicians present with
evidence of drug use, which homes abused women and men come from... But not
from us!
It is true that some people might not present if they thought their visit
would not be 100% confidential, but this is not the reason. We don't tell
because we don't. Neither do a few other groups of professionals.
Licensing authorities, police and others can get their information
otherwise. The can move cameras around various locations and observe these
clubs. They can force club owners to have cameras inside as a pre-requisiste
for lisencing. They can get laws changed to allow them to interview
injured-looking people as they walk in the street. They can obtain powers to
do mandatory drug tests on eanyone leaving a club or driving in a car. I
KNOW HOW SILLY SOME OF THESE IDEAS SOUND (INTENTIONALLY). But they can't get
us to do this work for them - it's not in our job description.
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