Thank you to the many people who responded to my request for views.
I have Data Protection responsibility as just one of my key tasks on a
very full job description, therefore it is a godsend to be able to sound
out via this list. I wonder how many on the list are in my situation.
Not being able to devote as much time as I would like when I receive
data protection related requests it brings it into focus that I am not
an expert on the subject - I just know more about it than anyone else in
the organisation. It is not easy!
Thanks again.
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"
This email is confidential. It may not be disclosed to, or used by,
anyone other than the addressee. If you receive this message in error,
please advise the sender immediately.
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
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