Doctor-patient confidentiality was allegedly violated at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam during recordings for a new medical reality programme to be broadcast by commercial television channel RTL.

The allegation was made by medical law Professor Johan Legemaate and medical ethicist Erwin Kompanje in Wednesday’s edition of current affairs television programme Nieuwsuur.

TV production company Eyeworks recorded footage at the medical centre's emergency room via 35 remotely controlled cameras. The hospital says it had sought prior approval from all patients involved.

In Nieuwsuur, a man related how he spent hours in the emergency room with his underage daughter and was only informed afterwards that everything had been recorded. The footage included a confidential conversation with a paediatrician.

The hospital apologised for what it said was an isolated incident and stated that no other violations of doctor-patient confidentiality had occurred.

(gsh/kh)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide