Plans allowing medicinal cannabis prescribers in Jersey to access patients’ confidential GP records have not included input from the Island’s data protection authority. Health Minister Tom Binet announced earlier this month that arrangements were being made to enable cannabis prescribers to directly access healthcare records, a move aimed at ensuring “safe prescribing.” However, in a recent statement, Binet confirmed that the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner was not consulted during this process.
In response to a written question from Deputy Karen Wilson, Binet acknowledged that “advice has, to date, not been sought” from the data protection regulator. He added that the “refinement of the process” for granting clinics access to relevant medical records is still in progress. This raises concerns regarding patient privacy, particularly as data access expands for private clinics.
Binet emphasized that GPs continue to serve as the data controllers for their patients’ records. He reassured the public that he would “continue to work with the Primary Care Governance Board and the Primary Care Systems Board to ensure patient privacy and data security.” These assurances come as the government works on establishing legal controls around medicinal cannabis prescribing, which will include new regulations dictating who can prescribe cannabis and the standards they must follow.
In addition to these developments, Binet highlighted that prescribers will be required to review patients’ medical records before issuing prescriptions. The ongoing discussions and preparations aim to balance patient safety with the need for access to medical information among cannabis prescribers.
As the situation develops, the implications for patient privacy and data protection will be closely monitored. The introduction of medicinal cannabis is a significant step for healthcare in Jersey, but it must be approached with caution to safeguard patient rights and ensure compliance with data protection laws.
