NHS Staff Sacked for Breaching Data of Nottingham Attack Victims
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper calls data breaches 'a disgrace' as 15 staff dismissed.
A total of 15 NHS staff have been sacked for inappropriately accessing the medical records of victims involved in the Nottingham attacks and a man killed by a tiger, the BBC has reported. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper described the breaches as a "disgrace" and stated that action would be taken against those who violated NHS data and privacy standards.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust confirmed the dismissals, which include doctors, nurses, registered healthcare professionals, and other staff. The trust has informed the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and Nottinghamshire Police about the investigations. NUH had previously announced the sacking of 11 staff members in May for similar breaches related to the victims of the June 2023 attacks.
The victims of the June 13, 2023, attack were students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and grandfather Ian Coates. The perpetrator, Valdo Calocane, had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.
Dr. Manjeet Shehmar, NUH medical director, stated that there is "simply no excuse for accessing the records of a patient without a legitimate reason." Cooper emphasized the need for "proper respect for patients" from all NHS staff and reiterated that strict data and privacy standards are in place across the health service.
In relation to the death of William Chapman, who was killed by a tiger, Yorkshire Ambulance Service indicated that his medical records may have also been accessed illegitimately. The ICO stated it would assess any evidence provided by the trust, and police confirmed there was no criminal investigation into these specific access incidents.
NUH is implementing a new system, currently under testing, designed to enhance the protection of patient records and alert the trust to potential future breaches. The ICO and other independent regulators, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Medical Council, have been informed of the actions taken by NUH.