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W v Egdell 1990 (CA) - Confidentiality case

W was detained without limit of time in a mental institution after shooting to death five people and injuring two others. 10 years later, Dr Egdell was asked to report on W's mental condition, in order to support an application to a mental health review tribunal, with respect to the possibility of future release. After carrying out his assessment of the patient, Dr Egdell strongly advised that W should not be transferred to a regional secure unit in preparation for release, and thought that the tribunal should be so instructed. Dr Egdell determined that W was still a danger to the public. As a result of this, W withdrew his application to be assessed, fearing that Dr Egdell's findings would limit his chances of release.

Dr Egdell insisted on the tribunal seeing his report, in the interests of public safety, and this went against W's wishes or consent. Dr Egdell sent his report to the medical director of the hospital detaining W and agreed to forward a copy of the issued report to the Home Secretary, who had the ultimate responsibility of deciding whether W should ever be released. W sued Dr Egdell for breach of confidence for acting against his wishes.

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