MINUTES
OF PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY MEETING
HELD
ON 19 JULY 2001 AT QEDI, BLOCK Q, PQ PARK, HALFWAY HOUSE.
1.
Welcome
Mr Le Roux opened
the meeting and welcomed all present.
2.
Apologies
As noted above.
3.
Previous Minutes
The Minutes of
the previous meeting were accepted with three amendments, namely:
5.1
Heading should read 'Internet Ethics - ISO WG2 Participation'.
6.4
Should read 'Hospitals, clinics, service providers and professional
bodies'.
6.5
Should read 'Healthcare evaluation funders and administrators - limited
to a need to know basis'.
4.
Matters arising
from previous Minutes
4.1
Elsabe Klinck advised that the update version of the Access to
Information Act is now being used.
4.2
The primary objective with regard to the SA Medical Journal is to have
legislation covering all aspects published.
4.3
There is a project in hand by the German Medical Authorities on health
data and sponsorship is being sought - not only within SA but also to encompass
SADEC. The reaction to the principles is not particularly favourable but amendments
to legislation have to be made. The question of the assimilation of information
and the use thereof was raised. Would this constitute a violation of rights to
privacy?
4.4
The wording 'privacy' as opposed to 'confidential' still requires
clarification and BV is undertaking further research.
4.5
'Informed Consent' also requires further clarification.
4.6
With regard to the Access to Information Act, the English and Afrikaans
versions need to be aligned.
4.7
What effects does the Act impose on gathering information for research
purposes. Guidelines are available on the Web in this regard.
4.8
With regard to Internet Ethics, this item to remain current as a
meeting is to be held and this task group will be advised of the outcome
thereof. It was suggested that a representative from SAMA would perhaps be
interested in attending.
4.9
The Bloemfontein Protocols are to be published on the Web.
4.10
The question of the right to privacy by a dependent was raised and
after discussion it was agreed that this should be handled between the member
and dependent.
4.11
Ownership of data - who owns the information. After discussion it was
generally agreed that whoever takes the notes is the owner but that person
cannot divulge the information contained in the notes but does have ownership
of the copyright thereof.
4.12
The whole question of what happens to collated information and who has
access to it was raised
4.13
BV to provide a manual to the task group on how best to obtain informed
consent.
5.
Closure
In closing, Mr Le
Roux mentioned the constitution of a new Secretariat to be discussed at the
PHISC meeting and thereafter closed this meeting.
6.
Date of next
meeting
This to be
discussed at PHISC.