Legal aspects of patient confidentiality - Bridgit Dimond

This revised and updated edition of Legal Aspects of Patient Confidently 2e is essential reading for all healthcare students and professionals who deal with patients. Written in a jargon free, non-legalistic style, it presents the principles relating to the protection of the rights of the patient and working within the confines of the law. This new edition considers the legal issues which have arisen in recent high-profile cases, discusses the implications of recent legislation and presents important guidance from professional bodies.

This book covers the different aspects of confidentiality that might arise in the health arena, for instance; dealing with children, HIV/AIDs patients, the recipients and donors of transplants, and terminally ill patients. Issues of human fertilisation and embryology are included as well as the problems posed by suicide and euthanasia and the notification of infectious diseases. New case studies are included as well as questions and answers to reinforce understanding.

There is a great need for a book for health professionals setting out the law and practice on confidentiality. Trust is at the heart of the health professional/patient relationship, yet many practitioners find themselves in situations where they are torn between their duty of confidentiality to the patient and other duties. The knowledge of the law that this text offers should assist practitioners in resolving such dilemmas. If practitioners have confidence in the law which applies to their practice, then they can concentrate on their work of caring for the patient.


Bridgit Dimond MA, LLB, DSA, AHSM, Barrister-at-law is Emeritus Professor of the University of Glamorgan.