title: Lawful disclosure of confidential information.
abstract: The last article considered the duty of confidentiality and the various ways in which health professionals could be held accountable for unjustified breaches of confidentiality. This article considers what those lawfully justified situations cover. The main justifications for disclosure include: consent of the patient; the interests of the patient; court order; statutory requirement; and public interest.
authors.affiliation: University of Glamorgan.
authors.forename: Bridgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dimond
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D030881:Disclosure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004282:Documentation; D017007:Duty to Warn / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom