In recent weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of staff accessing patient information inappropriately, specifically CAD records. This breaches all the following:
Consequently, you risk losing your job and being prosecuted by law, which can entail both large fines and a criminal record. Depending on your role, it may also be reported to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for investigation.
These incidents will not be tolerated by the Trust and must stop immediately. If you have no reason to access any business-related information, and most specifically patient information, then please do not abuse your privileged access simply for the sake of being ‘nosy’, or for other non-essential reasons. The Trust takes these data breaches very seriously. If you did not know what has been mentioned above, we recommend you review your Information Governance Mandatory Training and refresh your understanding of the aforementioned policies that all Trust staff are bound by.
Below are two examples taken from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) website, whereby NHS employees have unlawfully accessed patient records. The individuals in question were both found guilty in a magistrate’s Court and made to pay fines to the victims as well as court fees. These are just two recent examples (August 2022 and February 2023) of NHS staff being held accountable for their irresponsible and unprofessional actions.
Please do not let this be you. If have any further questions, or indeed concerns, please contact the Information Governance Team via email our informationgovernance@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Published 15th March 2023