The dangers of accessing health records without consent

Electronic medical records are now the norm in most hospitals and medical practices. There are undoubtedly many benefits, enabling health practitioners to work more efficiently and provide care to patients with less delay.

However, with this ease of access to sensitive health information, medical practitioners must ensure that they have obtained the relevant consent and/or authority to access an individual's health records who are not under their care. There can be serious ramifications if records are accessed without such consent or authority in place and such conduct is likely to be viewed by the Medical Board and/or a responsible Tribunal as serious conduct falling below the standard expected of a medical practitioner and a breach of their ethical obligations.