Dear All
Could I check this out with you?
A letter has been voluntarily written to us by an individual, mailed and
received by us. The letter contains much sensitive information the
nature of which persuades us to disclose the contents to a third party
whose vital interests are involved. The data subject, who did not
disclose contact details apart from name, also has vital interests
involved.
It seems clear that the data subject wrote expecting my organisation to
do something in support. To do anything positive necessitates disclosure
to at least one third party.
To gain explicit consent would take disproportionate effort, given that
no contact details, apart from name, were given by the data subject.
As vital interests are involved, for both data subject and a third
party, do you think it proper for us to disclose to third parties? The
vital interest element is literally life and death on the part of the
data subject.
We believe Schedules 2 and 3 conditions are met permitting disclosure.
The interesting point is whether a voluntarily written and unsolicited
letter of this sensitive nature equates to consent to process/disclose.
I cannot amplify further due to the sensitivity of the subject matter
but I have tried to convey the essential elements.
Gil
Gil Richardson
Senior Information Manager
RCGP
email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.rcgp.org.uk
Tel: 020 7581 3232 ext 231
Fax: 020 7584 1992
"Promoting Excellence in Family Medicine"
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