German doctors' chambers call for patient confidentiality safeguards in intelligence law draft

The Federal Ministry of the Interior has drafted a reform of Germany's intelligence service legislation that would extend absolute professional‑secrecy protection to lawyers while excluding physicians. The Landesärztekammer Hessen and the Bundesärztekammer criticised the proposal, arguing that it weakens the constitutionally protected doctor‑patient relationship. Dr. Edgar Pinkowski, president of the Landesärztekammer Hessen, said the draft “disregards the medical profession and undermines the trust relationship between doctor and patient.” Both medical bodies demand that doctors be added to the list of professionals whose communications are shielded from intelligence‑agency access under the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the BND law.

They urge the government to amend the draft promptly to ensure equal protection for medical confidentiality and maintain confidence in the healthcare system.