Bosses have launched a probe into claims Kate’s confidentiality was breached while she was a patient in The London Clinic in January – with at least one member of staff said to have been caught trying to access her notes
The world renowned hospital where the Princess of Wales was treated has launched an investigation over claims staff attempted to access her private medical records.
Bosses have launched a probe into the claims Kate’s confidentiality was breached while she was a patient in The London Clinic in January. At least one member of staff was said to have been caught trying to access the 42-year-old’s notes. The allegations has sent shock waves through the hospital in Marylebone, Central London, which has a reputation for discreetly treating of the royal family, former presidents, PMs and celebrities.
One insider revealed: “This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the Royal Family. Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palace immediately after the incident was brought to their attention and assured the palace there would be a full investigation. The whole medical staff have been left utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and were very hurt that a trusted colleague could have possibly been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics.”
The probe comes after video and pictures emerged this week of Kate and Prince William at a farm shop in Windsor, amid conspiracy theories being churned out by internet trolls about her absence since having an abdominal operation. It is a criminal offence for any staff in an NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the organisation’s data controller. The Metropolitan Police did not confirm whether it had been informed of the allegations.
An Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”
The London clinic refused to comment on the claims but said: “We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.” The hospital informed the Palace of the alleged breach as soon as it was discovered, sources said. Kensington Palace said: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”
Kate is understood to have been made aware of the alleged incident. Kate, who has been recovering at home in Windsor since she was discharged from the hospital on January 29 after 13 nights there, has chosen not to reveal the reason she was admitted. Police have now been asked to look into the allegations by Health Minister, Maria Caulfield.
Speaking on LBC radio on Wednesday, Ms Caulfield said: “I say this as someone who’s still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients. That unless you’re looking after that patient, or unless they’ve given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients’ notes. So there are rules in place and the Information Commissioner can levy fines, that can be prosecutions, your regulator, so as a nurse my regulator would be the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), can take enforcement action.”
Ms Caulfield added that she understood police had already been asked to look at the claims when questioned whether it should be dealt with as a police matter. “Whether they take action is a matter for them,” she told the channel. “But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions, can also issue fines, the NMC, other health regulators can strike you off the register if the breach is serious enough. So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at.”
Health regulators stressed the importance of the confidentiality of patient information. A spokesperson for the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, said: “Patients must have confidence that their personal information is protected at all times.
“Our guidance is clear: we expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient’s personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.
“We have a duty to consider whether any concerns raised with us about a doctor’s fitness to practise meet the threshold for investigation. We will take appropriate action where those concerns pose a risk to patients or public confidence in the profession.”
Source : https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/major-kate-middleton-security-breach-32393601
