This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Data breach leaves doctors ‘vulnerable’
Hundreds of doctors have had their personal information published online following a data breach at a hospital trust.
Personal details of more than 500 Cheshire and Merseyside GP trainees from St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust appeared on the internet, leaving doctors feeling ‘exposed’ and ‘vulnerable’.
The personal data included addresses, phone numbers, and national insurance numbers.
The trust has launched an investigation and reported the matter to the Information Commissioner. It has also contacted Google and other search engines requesting that ant cached information from the breach be removed.
The BMA has called for the trust to get to the bottom of how the release of personal information online could have happened, and is liaising with junior doctors and the trust to ensure necessary steps are taken to support those affected.
A statement from the association said: “Those junior doctors affected will be understandably worried that their personal information has been made widely accessible without their knowledge.
“While the trust has addressed the situation promptly, it must ensure it provides the necessary support and information to those affected, and urgently investigate how and why this breach occurred to ensure that it doesn't happen again.”
A spokesperson for the trust said it was profusely sorry to those affected, adding that it would continue to support those whose detailed had been released.
The spokesperson said: “On Friday the 28 July the trust was made aware of a data breach relating to a particular cohort of lead employer trainees via a website hosted by an external IT supplier. The data was immediately removed and an investigation commenced.
“The data breach has been reviewed independently and the trust has been assured that the risk to personal security is minimal.
“The trust has informed the Information Commissioner’s Office and will be providing a full report upon completion of the investigation.
“We continue to liaise with the trainees affected and have apologised profusely for any distress or inconvenience caused.”
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