Confidentiality guidance: Genetic and other shared information

1. 67. Genetic and some other information about your patient might at the same time also be information about others the patient shares genetic or other links with. The diagnosis of an illness in the patient might, for example, point to the certainty or likelihood of the same illness in a blood relative.
2. 68. Most patients will readily share information about their own health with their children and other relatives, particularly if they are advised that it might help those relatives to:
   1. (a) get prophylaxis or other preventative treatments or interventions
   2. (b) make use of increased surveillance or other investigations, or
   3. (c) prepare for potential health problems.²⁹

1. 69. However, a patient might refuse to consent to the disclosure of information that would benefit others, for example where family relationships have broken down, or if their natural children have been adopted. In these circumstances, disclosure might still be justified in the public interest (see paragraphs 36 to 56). If a patient refuses consent to disclosure, you will need to balance your duty to make the care of your patient your first concern against your duty to help protect the other person from serious harm. If practicable, you should not disclose the patient’s identity in contacting and advising others of the risks they face.