"Shocking" breach of medical records in Hull

More than 350 patients in Hull have had their medical records accessed by an unauthorised person.

NHS Hull have confirmed a former employee logged on to the records of 358 people across 20 GP practices between May 2008 and June 2009.

The person concerned was authorised to use collated and anonymous patient data during their day-to-day work, but was not permitted to access individual patient records.

All patients and GP's practices affected have been informed.

Health managers said they were "appalled" by their former employee's actions.

Kath Tanfield, director of performance, governance and informatics for NHS Hull, said: "We take patient confidentiality very seriously and are disturbed to find that patient confidentiality rules have been breached in such a manner.

"It is shocking to us that an individual who takes on a public service role and who agrees to abide by strict confidentiality agreements should go on to abuse their position and violate patients' rights to privacy."

A full investigation is being carried out by both the health service and police to try and establish how this happened.

Have you been affected? Call James Campbell at the Mail on 315365.