Private records of almost 200 patients lost

Jun 17 2009 by Phil Doherty, The Journal

DETAILS of the medical conditions of almost 200 patients were lost by a major North East hospital, red faced health bosses have admitted.

The list – which included names, addresses and medical conditions suffered by 188 patients – went missing earlier this year from the Chest Clinic of the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, it emerged last night.

It is believed the details went missing when the clinic moved offices as part of the hospital’s reorganisation due to the opening of its new Leazes wing, part of £304m revamp of the city’s medical facilities.

It was handed into the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Felling, Gateshead, on May the 4, by a member of the public.

The list contained a summary of each patient’s condition and was routinely used at the clinic.

The disclosure led to letters being sent out by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust informing patients of what happened and apologising for the bungle.

Details of the data loss only came apparent when angry patients raised the alert.

Helen Lamont, the trust’s nursing and patient services director, said: "The Trust regrets to advise that a list containing patient information, originating from a clinic at the RVI, was handed to reception staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead by a member of the public.

"The list contained details of 188 patients and included patient name and address details along with brief summary information relating to each patient’s condition. The Trust has informed the patients, and staff are available to discuss any issues or concerns with the patients."

Mike Summers, vice-chairman of the Patients Association, said: "People in the NHS just don’t seem to care about patients’ records. But the loss of such data is real worry for patients as they often say things to their GPs and consultants that are very confidential.

"In this case the hospital was moving from one area to another and these records were put into a box and promptly forgotten.

"It doesn’t seem to occur to them they have a duty of care to look after these records.

"The Information Commissioner recently said that several thousands records were lost this year from hospitals and there had been 140 security breaches. He also has said that he will take action against any hospital that loses records in the future. But the NHS doesn’t seem to be getting the message that someone has to be held accountable for such losses."