On Mon, 07 Dec 1998 09:37:51 GMT, Dr. Paul Steventon wrote:
>No obligation exists to escrow them centrally if (because they are
>secret) only the issued GP has the key. If (for example) the GMC
>doesn't keep the keys bulk key escrow is not an issue except with the
>individual GP's, who will do whatever their individual consciences
>dictate under the law.
Semantics, Paul.
The government refused to give an answer the other day whether the NHS
will be exempt from key escrow.
The proposal to allow doctors to obtain keys from unlicenced agencies
has been turned down.
The upshot is this: no one in Britain will have the right to private
and confidential communications. Doctors and patients' confidentiality
are no exception.
You know where I stand on the ethical issues as far as doctors are
concerned. However, this is yet another example of the impotence of
the profession in the face of slaughter.
It's all very well that we argue for protection of privacy of doctors'
communications when the reality is that this will never be allowed.
If our ethics are being sacrificed with such ease, what chance the rest
of what we stand on?
Ahmad
---------------------------------
Dr Ahmad Risk
Editor Health Informatics Europe
http://hi-europe.co.uk
Tel: +44 1273 321805
Fax: +44 1273 774614
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