Swedish Medical Association warns of patient deterrence after court ruling

A landmark ruling by Sweden’s Supreme Administrative Court has forced Karolinska University Hospital to disclose contact details of an undocumented patient to police, prompting concern from the Swedish Medical Association as a new data-sharing law takes effect.

The case involved an undocumented man receiving treatment for a life-threatening and highly contagious disease. Police, who requested the information, were granted access to the patient’s phone number after the hospital’s appeal failed in the highest court.

Christofer Lindholm, chair of the association’s ethics and responsibility council, said the decision sets a precedent that risks deterring vulnerable groups from seeking care. He warned the new law—dubbed the “informant law” by critics—requires six government agencies to share data on undocumented individuals with police, which could have a similar chilling effect.

“The fear is that some groups in society will avoid seeking care, or only do so when their condition has worsened unnecessarily,” Lindholm said. He added that even indirect data sharing—such as birth registrations passed to the Tax Agency—could discourage patients from accessing treatment, harming both individuals and public health through increased infection risks.

The association, though not directly covered by the new law, has called for its repeal, citing ethical concerns over patient confidentiality.