Blood Card Check

NotFormer

I remember many years ago that apparently there was an annual event where witnesses' blood cards (or whatever they're called) were checked by some visiting WT dignitary. That the blood cards were current, and that the R&F were carrying them.

Given the situation in some countries that Kingdom Halls can't legally keep data about people who have been visited, is the practice of checking and enforcing the carrying of blood cards similarly illegal in some places?

Are there any places where it is illegal for the HLC to set up camp near the hospital bed of a sick JW?

I ask a lot of these questions because I was never a JW, hence my username.

slimboyfat

I have never heard of such a thing. If anything elders have become more relaxed about blood and blood cards. I think they still have a reminder at the meeting each year to keep your documents up to date, but publishers are not monitored for what documents they hold as far as I know. Elders don’t chase people to sign the documents, they leave it up to individuals to take the initiative. That’s what I’ve seen anyway.

That’s in contrast with field service reports which are still sought vigorously by elders from their group at the end of each month. So it does seem to be a conscious decision to be more hands off around blood documents in particular.

Journeyman

NotFormer, I don't know what country you're in, but here in the UK I can confirm what slim said, that I don't recall that ever being done here.

I agree with the contrast between updating blood cards vs chasing ministry reports too. Earlier this year we had a new round of appeals to update blood cards because the form has been changed again (edits to the wording), so the announcement was made that everyone should do so as soon as possible, but noone has been checking up on it.

Nowadays, they also suggest you should lodge a copy of it with your GP too for your personal medical record, but again, it's just advised - noone ever monitors it or tries to find out if you've done it. I suppose some more 'zealous' BoEs in some parts of the country might ask more than once, but to my knowledge there's noone standing over you to make complete it!

Balaamsass2

I have been POMO for ten + years now. MANY years ago "Blood cards" were shown to obtain a couple of internal publications at conventions. In the 90s we received some letters from Watchtower for elders to physically check publishers' blood cards to make sure they were "up to date".

Looking back, this was a way to essentially "out" anyone who wasn't a "true believer".

What better way to prove your loyalty to a cult than a suicide pact card in your wallet 24/7?

Due to HIPA regulations in the USA now, patients can simply request any hospital to not release their name or hospital room. This does not prevent JWs who work in the hospital (billing, records, nursing, etc.) from telling local elders about any patients taking blood, having STDs, having drug addictions, or getting abortions. (Not uncommon).

Journeyman

This does not prevent JWs who work in the hospital (billing, records, nursing, etc.) from telling local elders about any patients taking blood, having STDs, having drug addictions, or getting abortions. (Not uncommon).

That's pretty shocking. Here in the UK, that would be a serious breach of professional standards and your employment contract, and constitute a sackable offence (and possibly even leave you open to criminal proceedings).

NHS confidentiality policy says it's even forbidden to use internal systems to browse your own medical records or those of your family if you are an employee:

4.5 Abuse of Privilege

It is strictly forbidden for employees to knowingly browse, search for or look at any personal or confidential information about themselves without a legitimate purpose, unless through established self-service mechanisms where such access is permitted (e.g. viewing your ESR record). Under no circumstances should employees access records about their own family, friends or other persons without a legitimate purpose.

Action of this kind will be viewed as a breach of confidentiality and may be an offence under the Data Protection Act 2018.

When dealing with person-identifiable or confidential information of any nature, staff must be aware of their personal responsibility, contractual obligations and undertake to abide by the policies and procedures of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Balaamsass2

Yes it is a major violation of HIPA with fines, but it is not uncommon. (Hard to prove).

NotFormer

This does not prevent JWs who work in the hospital (billing, records, nursing, etc.) from telling local elders about any patients taking blood, having STDs, having drug addictions, or getting abortions. (Not uncommon).
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This in its own right is a good reason to not employ JWs in the medical field. Believe it or not, this is actual WT policy, unless they've officially repudiated it. I recall a 1987 Watchtower article about a loyal witness named Mary who worked in a local MD's or GP's practice in some sort of administrative role. She was snooping through the practice's files and discovered that a "sister" had had an abortion (or was single and on the pill - it's a very long time since I read the article!) Mary dutifully ratted on her to the elders, who were able to bring down the full force of Jehovah's loving provision on the hapless sister. (I wonder if they required the two witnesses rule in this case?) The effect of the article was that Mary did the right thing, and so should you, loyal Witness!
Of course, you can't not employ someone because they belong to a certain religion. But I bet most exes here can smell a Witness a mile off and make a plausible case for hiring the other candidate for the job. Is it horrible of me to suggest that you should not employ JWs? Considering that the Mary article is WT policy (afaik - if it has been officially rescinded, let me know!), no! If you work in any field where sensitive client data is kept, then any loyal Witness you employ is potentially a WT spy.

NotFormer

Stuffed up the highlighting above! Is there a post on how to use that feature properly on here?

NotFormer

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/35669/bloodguilt

September 1st Watchtower, 1987

Notice that the FDS are quite happy for Mary to face prison time or being sued.

I wonder if they have changed their tune in the face of stricter data gathering laws.

Is Mary's precedent still WT policy, or has it been officially changed or diluted?

Balaamsass2

In the 2 local cases, the elders kept the 3 sisters' identities secret from the accused. The accused had no idea how the elders got the information. One was an ex-elder's mistress's STD being treated and paid for by the married brother (JW intake clerks). The other was a single sister who got an abortion (JW in medical records).

Blood Card Check

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