UK HOSPITAL COMPUTER STOLEN CHELMSFORD: Hospital laptop is stolen in raid:

CHELMSFORD: Hospital laptop is stolen in raid
Thursday, July 30, 2009, 09:43

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched at Broomfield Hospital following the theft of a laptop computer containing information on 2,000 patients.

The laptop, which had details about urology patients, was taken from a locked office at the hospital and the incident has led to criticism from some of the patients involved.

Barry Millard, 71, from Chelmsford, one of the patients affected, said: "I had a letter from the hospital telling me that the laptop had been stolen and that an investigation had been launched.

"The personal information held on the computer included my name and hospital number and treatment received, but not my home address.

"But it is a cause for concern and does make you wonder what sort of security they have at the hospital.

"I have had cancer of the bladder and in the past have had treatment for a kidney problem.

"The hospital saved my life and I have nothing but praise about the treatment I have had.

"But the laptop theft is worrying in these days of identity theft."

A spokeswoman for Mid Essex Hospitals Trust said: "The trust is treating this matter very seriously and has already launched a full investigation.

"We have tightened our security procedures to prevent further break-ins occurring.

"All of the trust's laptop computers have gone through a data encryption process to ensure information held on them can only be accessed by authorised staff.

"We have individually contacted all of the 2,000 patients whose details were held on the laptop to inform them of this incident.

"The information on the laptop was password protected and the trust has been reassured by the police that it is highly unlikely that any information from the laptop will reach the public domain. No data was lost, as it had all been backed up onto a secure trust computer."

A help line number has been given by the hospital to all patients concerned.