Not perform elective surgery, that is surgery which is not immediately required to save life or to prevent serious and permanent injury, on adult patients who are unconscious or otherwise unable to give consent. Such surgery should be postponed until explicit consent can be given. Generally speaking, in such circumstances, clinicians can lawfully provide treatments which they believe are justified in the patient's best interests. Generally, surgeons should respect this right. Aside from the fact that they would wish to be shown such respect themselves, there is an important public interest in medical information remaining confidential to the patient.
Confidentiality is central to the clinical relationship of trust.
Without it, patients who may pose a threat to the public without clinical care might not seek treatment. Disclosure is necessary to obtain information for the purposes of effective clinical care which the patient is unable to provide. Disclosure can be justified in the public interest or because of the threat of serious and imminent physical harm to an identified individual. Disclosure is necessary to comply with a statutory requirement - for example, informing the relevant authority that a patient has a notifiable disease. Disclosure is required by a Court Order.