U.K. "Medics urged to report gun wounds"

[cuchulainn]

from the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3168850.stm

Last Updated: Monday, 6 October, 2003, 15:14 GMT 16:14 UK
Medics urged to report gun wounds

Doctors have been told that they should report all firearm injuries to the police - regardless of the wishes of the patient.
However, the General Medical Council, which sets standards for the profession, says that victims' names need not always be disclosed.

The guidance follows serious incidents of gun violence over the past week.

A jeweller was murdered in Nottingham last week, and there have been shootings in Liverpool and Reading.

The GMC says it is handing out the guidance to remind doctors of their responsibilities when faced by patients with gunshot wounds.

Doctors are worried that if they do not protect their patients' confidentiality, that seriously wounded patients will not seek medical attention.

However, they have to balance this with the need to protect the public from gun crime.

According to the guidance, the police must be informed whenever a patient seeks treatment at an A&E unit or GP surgery for firearm injuries.

However, while the patient should be asked whether their name and address can be given to the police, these details should not always be handed over if the patient does not give consent.

Doctors can only breach patient confidentiality if they fear that disclosure could protect others from harm, or help the police detect a "serious crime".

Joint effort

The guidance is the result of cooperation between the GMC and the Association of Chief Police Officers, alongside the British Association of Accident and Emergency Medicine.

GMC President Professor Graeme Catto said: "While a doctor has a duty to protect the confidentiality of their patients, they also have a duty to society, their colleagues and other patients who may be at risk."

Alan Green, the deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, backed the guidance.

He said: "This guidance requiring doctors to contact the police when a person attends hospital with a gun-shot wound will not only assist with the detection of that offence, but may well assist in the prevention of further offences."

John Heyworth, who is president of the British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine, said: "Patients presenting to emergency departments with gunshot wounds require the highest standards of clinical care and this will remain the absolute priority.

"However, we also have a responsibility to protect the public in the community."

The number of firearm-related crimes has doubled in England since 1996.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The story is obviously a complete fabrication: it's illegal for people to own firearms in England, so there couldn't possibly be any gun wounds.

 

[Moparmike]

Just like Chicago. Everyone knows that once a governmental decree is put on paper, it is followed to the letter by all, especially criminals who care more about their records than anyone.

 

[KC]

I think it's so the government can fine persons with gunshot wounds for illegally posessing ammo.

Makes perfect sense to me.
















What? Why are you looking at me that way?

 

[Moparmike]

What? Why are you looking at me that way?

Because its true.

Hey, wait a minute. Who gave you permission to start thinking and using logic? I will be watching you closer from now on, boy...