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X v Y 1988 - Confidentiality case

Two doctors continued to practise clinically, despite being HIV positive. Their health records were sold to a newspaper, in breach of confidence, by another employee(s). The newspaper agreed to publish the story, giving the doctor's names and their area of work. The High Court initially granted an injunction. Therefore, another general article was published by the newspaper, which did not print the doctors' names. The newspaper intended to follow this lead article with another one disclosing their names. The Health Authority asked for another injunction to prevent the future publication.

Court decision