Part 7: Supplementary and final provision Section 204: Meaning of "health professional" and "social work professional"
Article 9(2)(h) and (i) of the GDPR permit processing of personal data which is necessary for health or social care purposes or for processing for public health purposes in the public interest where provided for in Union or Member State law. Section 10(2) and paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 1 permit processing for these purposes. Processing under Article 9(2)(h) is only permitted if the data is processed in accordance with Article 9(3) of the GDPR (professional secrecy obligations etc.). Section 11(1) provides that those who are permitted to process personal data under Article 9(2)(h), by virtue of Article 9(3), include anyone processing data who is, or is under the responsibility of, a "health professional" or a "social work professional". Under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to this Act, processing in the public interest for public health purposes may only be carried out in certain specified circumstances, including by, or under the responsibility of a "health professional".
	Paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 to the 1998 Act similarly permitted the processing of sensitive personal data for medical purposes as long as it was undertaken by a health professional or a person under a duty of confidentiality. Section 69 of the 1998 Act defined "a health professional" by way of a list.
	In line with the approach taken to define health professional in section 69 of the 1998 Act, this section provides a definition of "health professional", and also now includes a definition of "social work professional".
	Subsection (1) provides a definition of "health professional" which includes: registered doctors; nurses; dentists; midwives; opticians; pharmacists and child psychotherapists.
	Subsection (2) provides a definition of "social work professional", which includes registered social workers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	Subsection (3) clarifies the definition of "a registered medical practitioner".
	Subsection (4) defines a "health service body"; the definition varies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.