NHS Tayside is investigating a potential data breach after a murdered schoolgirl's health records were allegedly accessed by a member of staff. Minnie Merriman died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after she was found seriously injured at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath in the early hours of Monday, August 3.
Investigation launched
The nine-year-old and her family, from West Yorkshire, were camping in the area, but it is not known how long they had been in Scotland prior to the incident. Three other members of Minnie's family were also taken to hospital.
NHS Tayside confirmed to the Courier that an investigation has been launched after Minnie's health records were allegedly accessed without permission or a clinical need. No other details of the alleged data breach have been released by the health board, but the issue could be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office if serious enough.
Official statement
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information. As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters.”
Court proceedings and tributes
Christopher Rice, Minnie’s dad, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday, where he faced a single charge of murder. The 35-year-old from Wakefield made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Laurie Merriman, Minnie's mum, paid tribute to her “first true love” in a heart-breaking message following her daughter's death. Police Scotland was contacted for comment.
