Is doctor-patient confidentiality dying a slow death?

Mary, an acquaintance, called me early one morning. She said her husband had grabbed her throat and slapped her a few days previously. Their children were asleep at the time, oblivious to the incident. That same evening Mary read online that victims of domestic abuse should visit their GP.

Mary shared her story with her GP. Despite the GP’s encouragement to disclose the incident to the authorities, Mary insisted that nothing be said to anyone. She wanted the marriage to work. Her husband had never hit her before; the injuries were limited to minor bruising; and the children were not in any danger.

A few days later some police …