Ministry of Health Statement on the Confidentiality of Medical Records
The Ministry of Health has issued a statement on the confidentiality of medical records, after what it describes as statements circulating that suggest patients’ personal medical records in the custody of the country’s hospitals have been compromised.
The Ministry set out three guarantees to the public.
- A personal file is a medico-legal record, in the care and custody of the facility in which it was generated.
- Access to patients’ records is governed by rules that give authority to practising clinicians only.
- Unauthorised release of personal medical information is an offence, subject to administrative or judicial review and penalty.
The Ministry says it wishes to assure everyone that their personal medical information is held in the strictest confidence and at the highest administrative standards.
Source: Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ministry of Health statement, Confidentiality of Medical Records and Related Matters.