As reported in the Toronto Star While important, it looks like the psych is trying to use the privacy issue as a way to stop evidence against him showing up in court. We are skeptical of his motives. As far as patient rights go, it looks to be a bloody mess.
Hundreds of patients of an Ontario psychiatrist charged with possession of child pornography are unaware that confidential records containing their most intimate thoughts have been in the possession of the Peel Regional police force for the past three years, the Toronto Star has learned.
Dr. Allan Beitel says the confidential records, stored on the hard drive of a computer seized by the police, include detailed notes on all of the psychoanalysis sessions he conducted at his Hamilton office between about 1994 and 2004.
They are also said to include details relating to patients who did not require psychoanalysis or psychotherapy for their problems and contact information, including names and addresses, for all of his patients, including those from a previous 10-year practice in Toronto.
Experts consulted by the Star say the retention of the records — without notice to the patients — raises serious concerns about protection of patient privacy in the criminal justice system, and whether patients will continue to speak freely with their analysts if their confidentiality cannot be assured.
Beitel is now awaiting trial on charges including possession of a stolen laptop computer and possession of child pornography that police allege was stored on the computer's hard drive.
Details of the pretrial court proceedings cannot be reported because of a publication ban.
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