Disclosing information on gunshot and knife wounds.

The article focuses on the challenges faced by doctors in England and Wales regarding confidentiality and the reporting of knife and firearm injuries, amid rising knife crime since 2014 and stable firearm offences. It outlines the General Medical Council’s (GMC) guidance on maintaining patient confidentiality while balancing public interest, particularly in cases involving non-self-inflicted gunshot and knife wounds. Doctors are advised to seek patient consent before disclosing information to the police, but may breach confidentiality if necessary to prevent serious harm or aid in crime prevention, ensuring only minimal information is shared. Support for doctors in these complex decisions includes consultation with experienced colleagues, Caldicott Guardians—who oversee appropriate use of personal data—and medical defence organizations.