NHS Trust Apologizes for Data Breach After Child's Death
An NHS trust has launched an investigation and apologized to the family of three-year-old Noah Woods for a data breach involving his medical records.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has apologized to the family of three-year-old Noah Woods for the "extra anguish" caused by a breach of his medical records.
Dr. Martin Mansfield, deputy chief medical officer at the trust, stated that any unauthorized access of patient data is "completely unacceptable" and confirmed an "urgent" investigation has been launched. Disciplinary action will be taken if necessary. The trust has reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and is keeping Noah's family informed.
Immediate steps were taken to secure the records and prevent further unauthorized access.
Noah Woods went missing on September 15 in the village of Brantham, Suffolk. His body was discovered the following day by police divers in nearby water. A large-scale search involving approximately 1,300 people was conducted in the 24 hours before he was found.
His family described Noah as a "happy, cheeky, playful" boy who loved to laugh. His mother urged other parents to "hold their children a little tighter and cherish every moment."
An inquest into his death heard that the three-year-old had left a play area through a gap in a fence. The assistant coroner described the death as "very sad and tragic" when opening and adjourning the inquest in Ipswich.