What the health board says ...

DR Steve Conroy, lead GP for addiction services in Lanarkshire, said: “Like all health boards, NHS Lanarkshire and its staff are governed by national legislation and professional codes of conduct in relation to patient confidentiality.

“It would be a serious breach of professional conduct by the national bodies which regulate medical and nursing staff, for any member of staff to break confidentiality against the will of a patient receiving a service.

“For some services, there is also evidence to show that in some instances, a guarantee of confidentiality is the only basis in which some people will come forward for treatment.

“Ethical guidance by the General Medical Council (GMC) states that, as a principle, adults who have capacity are entitled to make decisions in their own interests, even if others consider those decisions to be irrational or unwise.

“It goes on to state that staff should explore the patient’s reasons for this and warn the patient of the risks of refusing to consent.

“However, if the patient is deemed to have the capacity to make their own decisions, staff should abide by the patient’s refusal to consent to disclosure.

“In such a situation, staff would also give a patient the information and support they need to make decisions in their own interests.”

Relatives or carers should be treated as equal partners in providing help and support with the NHS