The law around a patient’s privacy and the confidentiality of their medical information Is well defined In both statute and common law. It is further bolstered by medical ethics guidelines. Though, in most cases, a patient’s privacy is paramount, in some circumstances, Including where maintaining a patient’s privacy could put the public at risk, health care professionals will not be bound by these restrictions, and may, In fact, be obliged by statute to to disclose information regarding a patient’s health status.