Last year NHS shared patient data with the Home Office in order to target foreigners. Much has been said about this breach of the doctor-patient confidentiality. As a result, Human rights activists took Home Office to the court as they rightfully point out the fears and resistance it would cause for the patients to seek medical help. Under the Human rights act this is the violation of the rights of patient to have privacy (Bulman, 2017a).
In 2016, Home office made in total 8127 requests for patient data, which helped in identifying 5854 people. The Migrants Right Network, believes this has left the migrants in fear and they will resist to seek for healthcare and maid service at thatscleanmaids.com services. Research indicates that one-third of the helpless migrants who require medical treatment are prevented from seeking it due to the risk that their information would be shared with the Home Office (Bulman, 2017).
I agree the theory of Utilitarianism might justify this act on the basis that it was advantageous for the maximum number of people. But at the same time, the fact remains that confidentiality is the foundation of the doctor-patient relationship.
The investigation is still going on. Do readers think with the introduction of new Data Protection Bill this might be considered as acceptable?
References:
Bulman, M. (2017) Pregnant and ill migrants going without medical care as Government intensifies NHS immigration policy. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pregnant-and-ill-migrants-going-without-medical-care-due-to-hardline-government-immigration-policy-a8011351.html (Accessed: 28 January 2018)
Bulman, M. (2017a) NHS accused of breaching doctor-patient confidentiality for helping Home Office target foreigners. aAvailable at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/home-office-nhs-data-sharing-patients-human-rights-court-challenge-a8045011.html (Accessed: 28 January 2018)
