Cooper calls NHS patient-record breaches a ‘disgrace’

NHS staff who improperly accessed medical records linked to the Nottingham attacks have been sacked, while a separate ambulance service investigation is under way into possible access to the records of a man killed by a tiger. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has called the breaches a “disgrace” and said staff should be suspended quickly while investigations take place. [1]

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said on Friday it had dismissed 15 staff over access to records belonging to victims of the 2023 attacks. The trust had previously announced 11 dismissals in May; it has now informed the Information Commissioner’s Office, Nottinghamshire Police and professional regulators about its investigation.

The attacks killed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, on 13 June 2023. The trust’s medical director, Dr Manjeet Shehmar, has said there was “simply no excuse” for accessing a patient’s records without a legitimate reason. The trust is testing a new system intended to protect records and flag potential breaches.

Cooper told the BBC she expected action against staff who breached NHS data and privacy standards, including dismissal. She said she had spoken to the chief executive of NHS England and that the “overwhelming majority” of NHS staff valued patient privacy and dignity.

Grace’s father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, said the families wanted to meet Cooper and called for action to prevent further breaches. “I am appalled. It’s time to get a handle on these failures,” he said.

Separately, Yorkshire Ambulance Service said on Friday that staff may have accessed the medical records of William Chapman, 24, who was mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 10 October. The service said it had launched an investigation to establish what happened and that Chapman’s family had been informed.

An inquest heard that Chapman died from “multiple traumatic injuries and animal interaction” after entering the tiger enclosure. The ambulance service has described the records issue as a potential breach; its investigation is ongoing.