In healthcare settings, patients have a strong interest in knowing their privacy will be protected. Given that health information is often highly sensitive, in what circumstances is it reasonable for a health agency to disclose that information to others?

Our lives have been turned upside down by the Covid-19 virus pandemic. For medical practices it began on Sunday 22 March 2020 when the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners asked GPs to rapidly shift to virtual consults first.

Following the tragic events of Christchurch in March 2019, gun reform is a legislative priority. The Government recently introduced the Arms Legislation Bill to impose tighter controls on the use and possession of firearms.

As you may already know, both winter and privacy breach notifications are coming. And while you may have already prepared for winter and its influx of colds and flu, it’s also important to prepare for mandatory breach notifications, so that your agency is ready when the requirements kick in.

We’ve all seen the ads for genetic ancestry testing - as a way for people to trace their genealogy beyond traditional family trees and historical detail. And thanks to shows like CSI, the public might think of DNA as an investigative tool for the Police; a silver bullet that can solve any high-profile case in just minutes. But DNA can be used for much more than law enforcement activities or tracing ancestry.

The New Year is often a time for people to think about their health plans. And while “new year, new me” might not extend to “new health insurance”, your patients may be considering taking out or renewing their health or life insurance policy.

The Law Commission last month released its briefing to the Minister of Justice providing advice on abortion law reform.

As a government inquiry into mental health and addiction concludes later this month, we thought it was an opportune moment to discuss some of the common concerns that can arise about disclosing mental health information.