Health chief stresses information sharing

Scotland’s chief medical officer has told health professionals that
they must share information about children or vulnerable adults if
they fear they may be at risk.

In his annual report, Dr Mac Armstrong said there was a “widespread
perception that the law and professional codes limit the sharing of
information”.

But he added that doctors needed to strike a balance between
confidentiality in the clinician and patient relationship and the
rights of individuals to proper protection.

The report states that “each professional must balance the
risksÉ of not sharing information against sharing that
information”.