East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has apologised to the family of Noah Woods after 10 employees accessed his medical records without authorisation. The trust launched an investigation amid concerns that staff tried to view the three-year-old's private data. The 10 staff have reportedly been removed from duty.
Trust's apology and investigation
Dr Martin Mansfield, the Trust's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: "We have apologised unreservedly to Noah’s family for the extra anguish this breach of trust has caused them at an already devastating time."
Mr Mansfield said that as soon as trust bosses became aware of concerns that Noah’s medical records may have been viewed inappropriately, they launched an urgent internal investigation. He told The Sun that immediate steps were taken to secure the records and prevent further access that was not for a legitimate, clinical reason.
The trust has reported the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office and vowed to keep Noah’s family informed. Mr Mansfield said: "We will take disciplinary action where needed."
Background of the case
Noah was found dead in a lake during a huge search. He had left an under-fives play area in Brantham, Suffolk, and became separated from the relative who was with him on September 15. Around 1,300 members of the public joined a search to find the youngster, but Met Police divers recovered his body from a lake known locally as Decoy Pond on the afternoon of September 16.
Noah’s family released a tribute to the tot through Suffolk Police. They said: "Noah was a happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went. He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world."
The family said Noah was being assessed for autism, but had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed. They said despite the challenges he faced, Noah was learning every day and saying new words all the time as he had only just started finding and using his little voice.
Noah’s mum, Charlie, said: "If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted."
NHS England's crackdown
News of the data breach comes just a day after NHS England Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey said there have been too many cases of workers abusing trust. He also warned snooping could cost staff their career, and said they could end up with a criminal record.
Sir Jim said: "Patient records contain some of the most private information people will ever share. We have seen too many cases of people abusing that trust, and enough is enough. If someone is suspected of snooping, we cannot leave them in post with access to patients’ records while an investigation takes days or weeks. From now on, we will expect them to be suspended and have their access to NHS systems cut off immediately, while the facts are established. Anyone who thinks they can satisfy their curiosity by looking at a patient’s record should know this: they will be found out, they may lose their career and could end up with a criminal record."
