Hospital Pharmacist
Vol 10 No 8 p320
September 2003

News summary

Related websites
Scottish Executive (more)
Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust (more)

New guidance on patient confidentiality has implications for Scottish pharmacists

Pharmacists should expect to contribute to a single set of multi disciplinary records according to Dr Norman Lannigan, chief pharmacist at Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust. Dr Lannigan made these comments to Hospital Pharmacist in response to a leaflet on protecting patient confidentiality sent to all NHS staff in Scotland by the Scottish Executive.

The leaflet contains advice on obtaining consent for keeping patient records, sharing information with colleagues and the rights of patients to access their own records. It is likely to have significant implications for hospital pharmacy departments.There is a requirement to obtain consent from patients for all records held about them.

Dr Lannigan believes that hospital pharmacists will need to review their current practice, as both hand written and computer records are covered by the advice.