Question
Do I legally have to disclose my status to other doctors?
6 May 2011. Related: All topics, Disclosure.
Hello
I want to ask a simple question, does my status need to be disclosed when I’m being referred to another consultant? I’m after the legal requirement not the answer that refers to in the interest of my health or what best I’m just after the legal angle.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
The simple answer is no. You do not legally have to disclose your status to anyone outside your HIV clinic. If your HIV consultant is referring your to other consultants and you do not want them to know about your status then you need to inform your HIV doctor of your wishes.
You also need to realise that if your HIV doctor is making the referral then it is possible that the consultant will guess you are HIV positive because of where you were referred from. You might want to ask your GP to refer you instead. This way the consultant will not assume you are positive.
In response, a doctor may presume that he or she knows best but that doesn’t entitle them to make a written note stating such a thing. And as you answered, a person doesn’t have to reveal there status when asked. That’s important.