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Burglars snatch patient records

EXCLUSIVE by Alice McKeegan
22/ 7/2008

THOUSANDS of confidential records belonging to patients from a GPs’ surgery have been stolen.

The data, belonging to 3,500 patients from Trinity Medical Centre, Winton Street, Littleborough, was taken during a burglary ‘in the Rochdale area’ on 12 July.

A spokeswoman for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust confirmed the stolen records contained the full medical history and personal details of patients, including names, dates of birth and addresses.

The information was stored on a tape which was kept off-site, in accordance with government guidelines.

Following the ‘isolated’ incident, the Trust has written to the affected patients to reassure them that the records would be ‘extremely difficult’ to access without specialist knowledge. A password and

log-in details would also be needed to view the files and gain access to the data.

Trevor Purt, chief executive of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust, said: "A back-up tape from a GP practice in Rochdale has been stolen while being stored off site.

"Following consultation with the IT system suppliers, we believe that it would be extremely difficult for anyone to access or use the data. The PCT has supported the practice in contacting all of its patients and will be reviewing what further security measures could be implemented by practices in the borough to prevent future losses."

The PCT spokeswoman refused to reveal where the burglary occurred but confirmed that Greater Manchester Police and the PCT had launched an investigation.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen called for an inquiry to investigate how the data was stolen. He also promised to raise the issue in parliament.

He said: "This is disturbing news and I would like to see an inquiry into the security of people’s personal details and the issues surrounding this. This is the latest in a number of incidents across the country and I am appealing for whoever has stolen these details to return them. I shall be raising this with the health minister in parliament as it’s obvious that more guidance needs to be given. People’s personal details going missing is a cause for serious concern and I hope that this can be resolved as soon as possible."

Trinity Medical Centre declined to comment when contacted by the Observer.

Any concerned patients are urged to contact Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison team on 0800 121 4430.