I somehow missed this thread so have not read all previous postings. However, in both sets of guidance below the FOI Act seems to have been ruled out. My understanding is that FOI rights of access apply to medical and other records of dead people. It is quite possible - even probable in many cases - that these rights of access will be overridden by the application of an exemption - e.g. s 38, s 41, s 44 (Human Rights Act) - but that is a different matter from saying that FOI does not apply at all.
Susan Healy
Head of Information Policy and Legislation Unit
The National Archives
Kew
Surrey TW9 4DU
Tel 020-8392 5330 ext 2305
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Susan Ferguson
Sent: 16 June 2005 13:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [data-protection] Non living individuals
A big thanks you to all those who responded. As requested, here is a brief summary of the responses received:
The Access to Health Records Act 1990 states that anyone with a just claim may have access to the notes i.e. next of kin, close relatives etc. Although the DP Act does not apply the DoH guidelines recommend that their rights of confidentiality to medical records should be equal to those of living individuals. The DoH guidance is useful - here is the link
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/InformationPolicy/PatientConfidentialityAndCaldicottGuardians/AccessHealthRecordsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4084411&chk=wsrEF9
There is some excellent guidance from Redcar and Cleveland Council prepared by Graham Hadfield who is happy for us to use as appropriate. Here is the link
http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/YrCounc1.nsf/Web+Full+List/9C8F63BA27BA151880256E9A0049ABC4?OpenDocument
Susan Ferguson
Records Management Team Leader
South Tyneside Council, Westoe Road
South Shields, Tyne and Wear
NE33 2RL
Tel 0191-424 6539
Fax 0191-424 7002
[log in to unmask]
http://www.southtyneside.info
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