Should I tell my GP? ·
You don’t have to tell your GP about a positive diagnosis.
However, there can be real benefits to him or her knowing, particularly if you have a good relationship. You will be able to get medical support locally and should be able to request house calls, if ever needed. Having ‘the bigger picture’ of your situation will help him or her in their care for your everyday health. For example, if you’re receiving drug therapy, your GP will be able to check if any additional medicines he or she prescribes will interfere with your treatment. You should remain anonymous, with your status not being revealed to anyone outside the practice.
Having said that, GPs are obligated to pass on your details on request from certain organisations such as insurance companies. However, this will only happen if you know you are applying for life or serious illness insurance and it’s not always necessary, for instance, to take out life insurance to buy a house.
Your GP or clinic doctor may also be legally obliged to tell your partners if they think they are at risk, if they think that you are not going to tell them yourself and if they know who these partners are (especially if they are also their patient). However, they must tell you first that this is what they intend to do.
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