NHS Gloucestershire says almost 2,500 patients' details were stolen from Stroud General

UK (UPDATE) HOSPITAL COMPUTER STOLEN NHS Gloucestershire says almost 2,500 patients' details were stolen from Stroud General:

Patient records stolen from hospital
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 13:11

HOSPITAL chiefs have written to more than 2,000 patients after their confidential records were stolen.

Stroud General Hospital patients’ details were on a computer that was taken in a raid on the Field Road hospital at the end of March.

NHS Gloucestershire Care Services has sent letters to 2,470 patients, as although the computer was password protected, some patient letters were saved on the hard drive.

The letters, which followed outpatient clinic appointments, were from hospital consultants to GPs, other health professionals or patients and relatives.

A small amount of computer equipment was stolen from the hospital’s administrative offices. An NHS Gloucestershire spokesman said an internal review showed one of the computers taken contained some patient letters saved on the hard drive.

“We are very sorry that this incident has occurred and we have since carried out a thorough review of the patient information held,”

said Jan Stubbings, NHS Gloucestershire chief executive.

“Although the risk to patient information security is low, we feel we have an important responsibility to thoroughly investigate an incident such as this, identify the patients concerned and communicate with them.

“We take data security extremely seriously and have been reviewing our internal procedures to ensure that they are further strengthened.

“All our staff have received additional guidance to reinforce the steps they should be following to meet the highest standards of patient information security.”

The spokesman said arrangements have been put in place to provide the necessary support and advice to individual patients. A helpline has been set up for patients who receive letters and who would like further information. The number is 0800 019 3354, which was available from 8am today (Tuesday 12 May).