Was struck by your phrase that the victim's notes had been
"removed".Even in such an extreme situation the police do not have an
automatic right to the notes.The doctor has a duty to ensure the reason
for police access to the record is sufficiently serious to over ride the
duty of confidentiality.That is the doctor formally releases the record ,
and is professionally accountable for doing so. It is not something that
can be delegated to another member of the practice team. Queries about
poloice access to records was one of the commonest queries from members
when I worked with the BMA ethics team. No wonder you feel sad and
disturbed!
The BMA's "Medical Ethics Today" is useful on this and the Ethics Dept.
have a set of guidelines=free on request.
Commiserations Fleur Fisher
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