Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) has apologised to the family of William Chapman, the man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, after audits identified two instances where staff may have accessed or attempted to access his medical information without a legitimate reason.
Investigation launched after audits flag potential breaches
William Chapman, 24, died at the park near Doncaster on October 10 after entering the Amur tiger enclosure and being fatally mauled by a 200kg male tiger named Altai. The trust said it has identified “two instances involving two members of staff” following his death.
In response to a request from the Health Service Journal (HSJ), a YAS spokesperson said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with William Chapman’s family at this distressing time.
“The Trust has identified an information governance concern in relation to this tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and William’s family has been informed of our ongoing investigation into this. We believe there may have been two instances involving two members of staff accessing or attempting to access incident/medical information following this incident without a legitimate reason to do so.”
Trust reports case to Information Commissioner’s Office
The spokesperson added: “We take the confidentiality and security of patient information extremely seriously and have robust systems in place to protect information, and this concern has been identified as a result of our proactive audits.”
The trust has launched an investigation to establish the “full circumstances surrounding these potential breaches and the actions of these individuals”. It has also confirmed the case has been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and said it would keep Mr Chapman’s family updated as inquiries continue.
Mental health trust introduces tighter safeguards
An inquest heard this week that Mr Chapman, who was under the care of Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Trust (RDASH), had a history of mental illness. His family have raised concerns about his contact with the trust, the BBC reported.
Asked whether there had been any inappropriate access to Mr Chapman’s records, RDASH told HSJ it introduced tighter safeguards soon after his death, including “enhanced access controls around the patient’s records at an early-stage following his death”.
An RDASH spokesperson said: “A review of access activity has been undertaken by the Trust and, at this time, no evidence of unauthorised access to the records has been identified. The Trust will continue to keep the position under review and would investigate any concerns raised in accordance with its policies and procedures. This monitoring is daily with Executive oversight.”
The case comes amid mounting concern over improper viewing of patients’ records, with HSJ reporting it is “the latest incident in a growing scandal” that has already prompted NHS England to order staff under investigation to be suspended.
