Hospital records inappropriately accessed in Somerset
The patients are being contacted after a proportion of their records were inappropriately accessed, according to health bosses
Somerset's NHS Foundation Trust has apologised 'unreservedly' after a data breach, impacting 'up to 200' patients.
These people are now being contacted after a proportion of their records were inappropriately accessed, according to health bosses.
The Trust has reported the breach to the Information Commissioner and Avon and Somerset Police is investigating.
The hospital records of people within the staff member's circle were accessed over a period of six years, and the Trust is this week contacting every person whose hospital record has been inappropriately accessed to let them know what has happened, to apologise unreservedly, and to offer to meet them to discuss it if they would like.
Phil Brice, Director of Corporate Services for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We apologise unreservedly to every person whose hospital record has been inappropriately accessed in this way. Many NHS professionals need access to confidential information in order to do their jobs effectively.
"Every colleague in our trust undertakes regular information governance training and we understand that we are in a position of trust. Very sadly, this was not respected in this case.”
The member of staff had access to one hospital system as part of their role, which let them see demographic details; A&E attendances including dates and basic admission information; inpatient admissions including dates, the wards where patients were cared for, consultant and specialty; and outpatient appointments including dates, consultant and specialty.
They couldn't access clinical letters, discharge summaries, community, mental health or sexual health records or medical or nursing records.