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We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.

Category: Healthcare

new report uncovers councils lack of cybersecurity systems
March 11, 2019

NHS fax data breach issue uncovered

An issue that has led to a number of NHS fax data breach incidents has been reported, after mix-ups with a similar fax number has led to information going astray.

NHS data breach compensation cases are some of the more common types of claims our expert team help people with. A lot of the data breaches are caused by such simple errors that can be easily avoided. Despite this, they happen way too frequently.

The news of the fax mix ups is another example of this and comes to light after the accidental recipients of the data contacted NHS England about the incidents.

About the NHS fax data breach issues

The NHS fax data breach issue reportedly stems from GP surgeries and pharmacies accidentally sending data to the wrong number. The number they have been sending information to in some cases belongs to a hotel group who has then been receiving the faxes incorrectly.

Some of the data that has been sent to the wrong fax number includes medication requests, certificates and dispensing vouchers.

It’s understood that the fax number for the hotel group is similar to the ones used to send information within the healthcare system. The hotel group has notified the Corporate Information Governance Team for NHS England.

What’s being done about the NHS fax data breach issue?

As a result of these NHS fax data breach issues, NHS England has reportedly reminded GP surgeries and pharmacies about the importance of checking numbers. As some have recently called for a move away from faxes and pagers within the NHS, it’s claimed that this fax system is apparently the only way of sending this data within the healthcare system.

It sounds like something needs to change.

Any medical data breach can cause a huge amount of distress to the victims. When we see these simple errors over incredibly personal and sensitive data, it’s clear to us that more needs to be done.

As a firm of lawyers who specialise in data leak cases, we know how bad a breach can be for the victim.  It’s important for these simple and avoidable data breaches are stamped out.

By Author
hospital ransomware attacks
March 05, 2019

Serious Stafford Hospital data breach

A serious Stafford Hospital data breach has been reported, and it’s another simple and avoidable error that has led to private and sensitive data being leaked.

Our lawyers represent a lot of people who are claiming NHS data breach compensation. The reason for this is that healthcare data leaks and breaches can be incredibly common. A lot of the breaches happen so easily, and are totally avoidable. Despite this, healthcare data breaches continue to happen at alarming rates.

The recent Stafford Hospital data breach incident is a story that’s all too familiar for our team here who are helping victims claim for incidents just like it.

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By Author
compensation advice for hospital data breaches
March 01, 2019

U-turn in Worcester GP data breach case

NHS England has ruled in an investigation into a Worcester GP data breach after previous findings suggested that the law had not been broken.

In this unusual case, the Severn Valley Medical Practice reportedly posted information online about a patient. Initially, the Practice is understood to have disputed that any data protection breach had occurred. Since then, NHS England and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) both agree that the incident was a failure to comply with data protection obligations.

Another element that makes this case unusual is about allegations made surrounding the Data Protection Officer (DPO) who reportedly claimed there wasn’t a breach in the first place.

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By Author
healthcare cyberattacks
February 25, 2019

Hackers selling stolen medical records online

It’s true that there’s an issue with hackers selling stolen medical records, normally on the dark web. The problems this can cause for victims can be huge.

Some people may not even be aware that their medical data has been stolen. Even the organisation(s) the data has been stolen from may not (yet) even be aware. Some victims of medical record hacks find out because of an instance of online exposure, or even successful or attempted cases of identity theft.

Claims for medical data breach compensation are some of the most common types of cases we deal with. The healthcare sector is a target, so know your rights if you end up being the victim of hackers selling stolen medical records related to you.

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By Author
nhs outsourcing
February 04, 2019

Bristol Hospital data breach advice

If you need advice as a victim of a Bristol hospital data breach, our team can help you.

A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request found the University Hospital Bristol as a main offender when it comes to lost or missing documents. The FOI revealed worryingly large volumes of data incidents in 2017.

As a firm of specialist Data Leak Lawyers, we’re not surprised. Thousands of people have asked for our help over the years we’ve been fighting for justice for data breach victims. One of the most common types of cases we help people with is for NHS data breach compensation.

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By Author
Drugs
February 01, 2019

Claim now in the Well Pharmacy data leak action

Our No Win, No Fee compensation action for victims of the Well Pharmacy data leak is underway, and you can sign-up for our help today.

If you were one of the 24,000 people caught up by the Well Pharmacy data leak, you may be eligible to claim compensation with us. We’re taking cases on and we’ve initiated our action for anyone affected by the recent email leak of personal and sensitive data.

The Well Pharmacy data leak action is one of the over 20 different data breach actions we’re representing people for. When it comes to data leaks, access to justice can be achieved through our specialist legal services.

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By Author
nhs patient confidentially compensation claims
January 29, 2019

Compensation for a HIV status data breach

You can be eligible to claim compensation as a victim of a HIV status data breach, and we can offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.

A HIV status data breach can be absolutely devastating. Medical data breaches are often among the worst because of the nature of the information that can be exposed, and a person’s HIV status is a prime example of how bad it can get.

We’re currently involved in legal action for a large group of victims claiming compensation for the 56 Dean Street HIV status data breach. The expert reports and witness testimonies show just how bad a HIV data leak can be.

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By Author
hospital ransomware attacks
January 25, 2019

What to do if your medical data is hacked

If your medical data is hacked, we’re (unfortunately) not too surprised. A large volume of the cases we deal with are for healthcare sector breaches, and hackers do target the sector.

The reason hackers target the sector is often due to a lack of resources in cybersecurity. We saw in the 2017 WannaCry attack just how much damage a targeted attack can do. The hackers in this incident targeted outdated systems because they can be more vulnerable to being broken into. With the healthcare sector often using outdated systems, they were an easy target.

If your medical data is hacked, what can you do about it?

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By Author
breaches in the healthcare sector
January 08, 2019

Need help for a Bolton Hospital data breach?

If you need help to make a compensation claim for a Bolton Hospital data breach, we could help you on a No Win, No Fee basis.

It was reported that, in 2017, Bolton NHS Trust was the second worst Trust when it came to lost or stolen data. In 2017 alone, some 2,163 documents reportedly went missing or were stolen. The news came as part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that revealed some 10,000 documents had been lost or stolen within the NHS in one year.

If you’ve suffered as a result of a Bolton Hospital data breach, we may be able to help you.

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By Author
nhs outsourcing
December 14, 2018

Hospital apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson over spying incident

Salford Royal Hospital has issued an apology to Sir Alex Ferguson over staff caught spying on his medical records when he was under their care.

We’ve written a lot about NHS staff who have accessed medical records without need or authority. It has happened so many times that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has had to enforce multiple prosecutions, and released general warnings to staff not to abuse data they can access.

The incident involving Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the first of its kind, nor is it the first of its kind when it comes to celebrity snooping as well.

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