Confidentiality

Press, 6 July 1983, Page 12

Confidentiality

Sir,—l have just renewed my driver’s licence. During the processing of this I could not have failed to notice, given that it took place near my left ear, that the gentleman next to me at the counter was being subjected to a brusque barrage of questions relating to his health and medical history. I presume from the failure of the Ministry of Transport to provide private facilities for that sort of interview, that it regards this form of compulsory publicising of an individual’s private concerns as quite acceptable. I presume also that the Ministry condones the type of conversation which took place between the two counter-clerks after the person had left, which resulted in all within earshot learning of his occupation, his CockRobin attitude, and his rudeness. If the latter allegation were true, it could hardly surprise, given the treatment he received. — Yours, etc TERRY V. SMITH. June 27, 1983.

[Mr J. R. C. Wilshere, Regional Controller, Administration, Ministry of Transport, Christchurch, replies: “The area of confidentiality centres on the medical fitness questions asked when an applicant is required to complete an application form for a new licence or for renewal in changed circumstances. The form asks questions about the applicant’s health to establish whether or not a medical certificate is required. It is not necessary for the applicant to answer these question orally but most prefer our cierks to enter up the form on their behalf. Any applicant requiring privacy may take the form away for completion. However, at this time of year when queues are long, the resultant delay is unwelcome. An inquiry has failed to bring to light details of the specific incident described by your correspondent. In the last 10 days approximately 11,300 licences were issued or renewed and approximately 10 per cent of these would require the completion of the form with medical details. Our staff are instructed to be polite and helpful at all times to the public, and this instruction has been repeated. Staff have now been asked to draw applicants’ attention to the fact that they may’ take the application form away for completion if they wish.”]