The Medical and Health Sector published on 03 April 2005 The Data Protection Rules in Practice The confidentiality of patient records forms part of the ancient Hippocratic oath, and is central to the ethical tradition of medicine and health care. This tradition of confidentiality is in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003, under which personal data must be obtained for a specified purpose, and must not be disclosed to any third party except in a manner compatible with that purpose. |