News

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".