Cyprus Medical Association warns of possible breach of medical confidentiality during emergency department audits

The Pancyprian Medical Association (ΠΙΣ) has expressed concern over the actions of the Audit Office of Cyprus (Ελεγκτική Υπηρεσία), which is conducting inspections in the emergency departments (ΤΑΕΠ) of public hospitals in Nicosia and Limassol.

The statement followed reports suggesting that, during the audits, inspectors may have requested doctors to provide data from patients’ medical records and explanations regarding specific cases handled during their shifts. According to ΠΙΣ, such actions could constitute a breach of medical confidentiality and exceed the auditors’ authority.

Doctors emphasize that audits in the healthcare sector are legitimate, but must be carried out strictly within the law, with respect for professional ethics, and without interfering with the work of medical staff — particularly in emergency departments, where workload and stress levels are exceptionally high.

In its statement, ΠΙΣ reaffirmed its support for transparency within the healthcare system, but stressed that disclosing patient information without proper legal basis is unacceptable. The association calls on the Audit Office to provide official clarification regarding the scope and methodology of the inspections and to confirm that medical confidentiality has not been violated.

The union noted that maintaining medical secrecy is the foundation of trust between patients and the healthcare system, and it must not be compromised even in the name of administrative oversight.