I was lucky in that my mother openly stated to her GP at a joint consultation before she had completely 'lacked capacity' to 'Please tell my daughter everything' and from that verbal consent, her authority was noted in the Practice records. This not only meant I was able to consult with her own GP, with or without her knowlegde, but that all letters from consultants which were copied to him were shared with me ..... (one or two hospital consultants got a bit 'prickly' about consent issues)
If your mum has passed the stage where she can give consent for confidentiality to be 'breached' (as some doctors see it) you do have support 'legally'.... true an EPA does not cover medical matters - but the General Medical Council have their own guidelines for doctors around the Mental Capacity Act ....
Some of this link may be useful:
http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethi...mising_patients_ability_to_make_decisions.asp
Quite frankly, I despair that it is not basic common sense which tells a GP/Consultant that there is little point in protecting confidentiality if the patient is not likely to remember or understand instructions, diagnoses, let alone instructions for meds etc .....
In many walks of life confidentiality can be breached if someone needs protection ..... and I agree with JPG1 - the duty of care is paramount - and how a doctor thinks they can offer that to someone who is mentally incapacitated without referring to their primary carer/next of kin - irrespective of any form of 'attorney' ... escapes me ...
Love, Karen, x