PETALING JAYA: Existing Health Ministry (MOH) guidelines do not require lawyers to provide copies of their practising certificates and identity cards when applying for their clients’ medical reports, says the ministry.
“However, MOH’s preliminary review found that some hospitals have implemented additional identity verification measures, including requesting copies of lawyers’ identity cards or those of representatives from law firms, to ensure that medical reports are released only to authorised parties,” it said to The Star.
The ministry was responding to a Sunday Star report on Nov 1 that stated the Bar Council was probing claims that lawyers applying for their clients’ medical reports and records at government hospitals are reportedly being asked to provide copies of their identity cards or practising certificates.
In an Oct 27 circular, the council’s Government Affairs Committee said it had received reports of such requirements at MOH hospitals.
The ministry said applications for the release of medical reports at its hospitals are governed by the guidelines for the Preparation of Medical Reports as outlined by the Director-General of Health’s Circular No. 16/2010.
“Applications submitted through representatives, including lawyers, must be accompanied by the patient’s or next of kin’s original letter of consent authorising the representative to act on their behalf,” it said.
“The release of medical reports must also be based on a clear letter of authorisation, with the process duly documented,” it added.
The ministry said its priority is to safeguard the confidentiality and security of patients’ medical information.
“In this regard, the ministry is coordinating procedures across all hospitals to ensure that identity verification is carried out in a reasonable, proportionate and consistent manner, in line with the regulations in force, without imposing inappropriate or burdensome additional documentation requirements on applicants,” it said.
