Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has labelled NHS data breaches a "disgrace" following the dismissal of 15 staff members for accessing the medical records of victims of the Nottingham attacks. Ms Cooper stated she expects action to be taken against staff who breach NHS data and privacy standards.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust confirmed it had sacked a total of 15 staff, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, for inappropriately accessing the records of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates. The trust had previously dismissed 11 staff in May and has informed independent regulators, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and Nottinghamshire Police of the further dismissals.
Separately, Yorkshire Ambulance Service is investigating potential illegitimate access to the medical records of William Chapman, 24, who died after being mauled by a tiger. The service has launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of these potential breaches and has informed Mr Chapman's family.
Dr Manjeet Shehmar, NUH medical director, previously stated there is "simply no excuse for accessing the records of a patient without a legitimate reason." Ms Cooper has spoken with the NHS England chief executive and expects swift suspensions during investigations into such breaches.