This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
GP’s responsible for reporting unfit drivers, says GMC
The regulator insisted it is a ‘doctors duty’ to disclose information to the DVLA, even without the consent of the patient. The new guidance is part of a wider consultation on confidentiality, which the GMC is providing to offer more clarity about how doctors can balance their ‘legal and ethical duties of confidentiality with their wider public protection duties’.
The new guidance gives GPs authority to report patients who pose a risk of serious harm to the public, but should only be taken as a last resort, when the patient has failed to contact the DVLA themselves.
The GMC also advises doctors that when making a diagnoses or providing treatment, they should keep the patients ability to drive ‘at the forefront of their minds’.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said patient confidentiality is not absolute, and doctors play a key role in keeping the wider public safe.
He said: “Doctors often find themselves in challenging situations. This is difficult territory, most patients will do the sensible thing but the truth is that a few will not and may not have the insight to realise that they are a risk to others behind the wheel of a car.
“A confidential medical service is a public good and trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship. But confidentiality is not absolute and doctors can play an important part in keeping the wider public safe if a patient is not safe to drive.
“We are clear that doctors carrying out their duty will not face any sanction - and this new guidance makes clear that we will support those who are faced with these difficult decisions.”
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