Musgrove Park Hospital worker inappropriately accessed records
Hospital records of up to 200 people were inappropriately accessed by a member of staff, a NHS trust has said. A staff member at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton accessed the records of people known to them over a period of six years. The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it will contact everyone affected to apologise.
The trust has reported the breach to the Information Commissioner and Avon and Somerset Police is investigating.
‘Not respected’
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. This enabled them to see demographic details, A&E attendances and basic admission information.
Records also covered inpatient admissions, the wards where patients were cared for, consultant and specialty, as well as outpatient appointments. They were not able to access clinical letters, discharge summaries, or the separate systems we use for community, mental health or sexual health records. The BBC understands that the member of staff is not currently working within the trust.
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