An investigation has revealed than nearly 50 staff at a Merseyside hospital group accessed horrific details of the condition of those attacked in Southport.
The investigation has only just come to light, with victims finding out this week about the horrific data breach as a result of investigative journalism by the HSJ.
Some of the injured were treated at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and journalists from the HSJ have uncovered details that 48 staff accessed the medical records of a number of victims of the Hart Street tragedy without a good reason.
Shocking this information was kept from victims involved until this week, following the HSJ’s inquiries.
Leanne Lucas was one of UHLG patients whose records were inappropriately accessed.
She told HSJ: “I am absolutely devastated and horrified that my privacy has been invaded when I was at my most vulnerable.
“Nothing will take away my gratitude to the staff who saved my life, but 48 people not involved in my care abused their position of trust to access the files of victims who have suffered unspeakable trauma. The decision to keep this from me for almost two years is a new low.
“I am speaking out as I want this scandal and the attempted cover-up by senior management exposed for what it is.”
The trust denies any attempt at a cover-up. Its board had originally planned to tell those involved about the breach.
UHLG chief executive James Sumner today issued a formal apology to the victims. He said: “We are sincerely sorry for any distress that may have been caused to the patients that were under our care and who trusted us to look after them when they were most vulnerable.
“Breaches of patient confidentiality are inexcusable and undermine the hard work of those teams who sought to provide the highest standard of care to these patients after they experienced such traumatic and life-changing events. Staff who were found to access patient records were subject to HR disciplinary processes.”
He said the trust had notified the relevant regulators and professional bodies, including the Information Commissioner’s Office, and “were fully transparent about any findings and actions taken”.