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NHS baby data found in store
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| Find: John Dunne stumbled on NHS records Deadlinepix SU19664 |
A sensitive document detailing the treatments of premature babies at Mayday Hospital was discovered at a supermarket in Sutton.
An investigation was ordered after a shopper stumbled on the highly confidential patient records while browsing a DVD rack at Morrisons.
John Dunne, 61, discovered the names, dates of birth and NHS numbers of 20 babies being treated at Mayday Hospital in Croydon on the disc.
The lost file also disclosed their medical problems, what medication they were given and plans for their future treatment.
The Mayday NHS trust is to write to distressed relatives after the Sutton Guardian
ensured the document was
returned safely.
A trust spokesman admitted it should have been shredded on-site.
The lapse follows several highly damaging personal data breaches, including the discovery of HIV results from Kingston Hospital in a discarded courier bag.
| “How the hell it got to be left in a supermarket, I do not know. It must be terrible for the parents. They are under enough pressure as it is without knowing details of their babies’ procedures have been left lying around.” | | Mr Dunne |
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A single file being left in such a public place suggests individual carelessness rather than systemic failings.
Mr Dunne, a payroll manager, said: "How the hell it got to be left in a supermarket, I do not know. It must be terrible for the parents. They are under enough pressure as it is without knowing details of their babies' procedures have been left lying around."
The Patients Association, a healthcare charity, called for an independent enquiry. Katherine Murphy, a spokesman, said no amount of apologising could redress parents' anguish.
In a statement, the trust said: "As soon as we have completed our inquiries, we will be writing to the people concerned with a full explanation and personal apology.
"The trust acknowledges that this very regrettable incident should not have happened. We are quite clear that confidential data of this nature should not leave our premises.
"This particular document, which is necessary for the safe delivery of patient care, should have been destroyed on the premises."
8:39am Thursday 6th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Bob Peel, Croydon on 8:48am Thu 6 Mar 08
Mr John Dunne is a total moron. What was wrong with contacting the hospital and asking what to do with the document?
Instead you pass it on to a third party and you have the utter gall to rant on about how it was found where it was and the obvious effects on parents.
Tell me Mr Dunne, did you get paid by the Sutton Guardian for passing this document on or do you just get a 'high' for having your name in the paper?
Mr John Dunne is a total moron. What was wrong with contacting the hospital and asking what to do with the document?
Instead you pass it on to a third party and you have the utter gall to rant on about how it was found where it was and the obvious effects on parents.
Tell me Mr Dunne, did you get paid by the Sutton Guardian for passing this document on or do you just get a 'high' for having your name in the paper?
Posted by: LindenForbesSamsonBu
rnham, south norwood on 9:19am Thu 6 Mar 08
Mr Peel is right. Would there be any parent's anguish if Mr Dunne had simply contacted Mayday Hospital or thrown the doc away?
I wouldn't want to be in Mr Dunnes shoes when he goes to Mayday to have his prostate checked next......
Mr Peel is right. Would there be any parent's anguish if Mr Dunne had simply contacted Mayday Hospital or thrown the doc away?
I wouldn't want to be in Mr Dunnes shoes when he goes to Mayday to have his prostate checked next......
Posted by: Lucy Smith, Croydon on 10:41am Thu 6 Mar 08
I totally disagree, with the first statements. It is only because the media highlight these issues that steps are taken to sort them out. If he had just thrown the papers away then it could happen again, and then who knows who could have found the details?
This needs to be out in the open so the NHS knows it is not acceptable - and can take steps to ensure it is never repeated.
Hushing up things like this is totally wrong.
I totally disagree, with the first statements. It is only because the media highlight these issues that steps are taken to sort them out. If he had just thrown the papers away then it could happen again, and then who knows who could have found the details?
This needs to be out in the open so the NHS knows it is not acceptable - and can take steps to ensure it is never repeated.
Hushing up things like this is totally wrong.
Posted by: Dr Who?, ??? on 11:15am Thu 6 Mar 08
you don't think this is just a bit of paper that dropped out of a knackered medical worker's pocket then Lucy?
you don't think that person might have been dealing with something a lot more important?
documents in pockets is probably more prevalent than you will ever know.
I think Bob Peels got it right (for once)
you don't think this is just a bit of paper that dropped out of a knackered medical worker's pocket then Lucy?
you don't think that person might have been dealing with something a lot more important?
documents in pockets is probably more prevalent than you will ever know.
I think Bob Peels got it right (for once)
Posted by: Lucy, Croydon on 11:24am Thu 6 Mar 08
I think that's probably exactly what happened - which is why it is so important that it doesn't happen again.
I'm sure they didn't mean to do it, but that doesn't make it any less shocking. It is the hospital management that is at fault - they should have systmes in place to prevent this happening. When people are tired mistakes do happen, but just because I sympathise with the person who dropped the papers, does not mean that everyone should collude to cover it up.
I think that's probably exactly what happened - which is why it is so important that it doesn't happen again.
I'm sure they didn't mean to do it, but that doesn't make it any less shocking. It is the hospital management that is at fault - they should have systmes in place to prevent this happening. When people are tired mistakes do happen, but just because I sympathise with the person who dropped the papers, does not mean that everyone should collude to cover it up.
Posted by: Jean, tooting on 4:19pm Thu 6 Mar 08
Hospital workers should not be carrying confidential papers round the supermarket even if they are tired
Hospital workers should not be carrying confidential papers round the supermarket even if they are tired
Posted by: jakesy, Woodmansterne on 5:10am Fri 7 Mar 08
Bob Peel has hit the nail on the head. This errant payroll manager is little more than an interfering busy-body. As for Jean in Tooting - do you actually go out to work or do you just sit indoors on the dole. Tired workers make mistakes. Were there any names and addresses on the paper dropped? I doubt it. Mr Dunne is just an interfering fuddy.
Bob Peel has hit the nail on the head. This errant payroll manager is little more than an interfering busy-body. As for Jean in Tooting - do you actually go out to work or do you just sit indoors on the dole. Tired workers make mistakes. Were there any names and addresses on the paper dropped? I doubt it. Mr Dunne is just an interfering fuddy.
Posted by: Jean, tooting on 6:39pm Fri 7 Mar 08
I work in health
Posted by: SV, Croydon on 11:53pm Fri 7 Mar 08
Bob Peel. Shockingly spot on. Whats wrong with him / her ??
We all have a duty of care re personal data. This type especially.
However I don't think anyone would leave a copy either by choice or by any other means other than actually not knowing what they had actually done.
Press have sensationalised all of this data issue way past its useful stage of reminding everyone how they should treat data.
Bob Peel. Shockingly spot on. Whats wrong with him / her ??
We all have a duty of care re personal data. This type especially.
However I don't think anyone would leave a copy either by choice or by any other means other than actually not knowing what they had actually done.
Press have sensationalised all of this data issue way past its useful stage of reminding everyone how they should treat data.
Posted by: jakesy, Woodmansterne on 8:32am Sat 8 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Jean[/bold] wrote:
I work in health[/quote] With respect; you should know better than to post what you did then.
Jean wrote:
I work in health
With respect; you should know better than to post what you did then.
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