Iceland’s Capital Area Health Care Bars Transport Authority from Accessing Medical Records

Iceland’s Capital Area Health Care has barred staff from the Transport Authority from accessing medical records. This action follows feedback from the Directorate of Health after a complaint was made regarding unauthorized searches by a Transport Authority employee.

In 2020, an agreement was established allowing health professionals at the Transport Authority to access medical records. However, the Directorate has concluded that this agreement did not comply with legal provisions concerning medical records. Consequently, access was revoked promptly upon receipt of the Directorate’s request on September 25, and the agreement will be annulled accordingly.

Previously, only health professionals authorized by the Directorate had access to medical records, with all searches and updates being documented, as is standard procedure. The Directorate reviewed the situation after receiving complaints about the Transport Authority employee’s access to the records.

Sigríður Dóra Magnúsdóttir, head of the capital area health care, acknowledged the deficiencies in how the contract was established with the Transport Authority and in similar agreements. She stated they take this matter seriously and will review all agreements concerning access to medical records to ensure full legal compliance.