Tag: nhs
Heart of England NHS data breach
Posted by Matthew on March 22, 2019 in the following categories: Employee Data Breach Healthcare ICO and tagged with cyber snooping | employee breaches | medical data breach | medical records | nhs | personal data
There has been a Heart of England NHS data breach incident, and it’s yet another case of an NHS employee snooping on the personal data of people they know.
We’ve spoken out about the issue of NHS employees abusing their rights to access medical data a lot recently. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – the UK’s data watchdog – has prosecuted a number of offenders for such actions. They’ve also had to send out warnings to staff about their responsibilities and the punishments they can face when it comes to this kind of behaviour.
A large volume of the cases we represent people for are NHS data breach compensation claims, so hearing of these kinds of incidents isn’t surprising.
NHS fax data breach issue uncovered
Posted by Matthew on March 11, 2019 in the following categories: Data Healthcare Info Latest Security and tagged with data breach | data controllers | data leak | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
Serious Stafford Hospital data breach
Posted by Matthew on March 05, 2019 in the following categories: Healthcare and tagged with healthcare sector | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
U-turn in Worcester GP data breach case
Posted by Matthew on March 01, 2019 in the following categories: Cybersecurity Data Healthcare ICO Latest and tagged with data breach | data controllers | gp data breach | medical data breach | nhs | personal data
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.
Hackers selling stolen medical records online
Posted by Matthew on February 25, 2019 in the following categories: Cybersecurity Hacking News Healthcare Latest and tagged with cybersecurity | database security | medical apps | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
Bristol Hospital data breach advice
Posted by Matthew on February 04, 2019 in the following categories: Claims Healthcare and tagged with healthcare sector | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
Compensation for a HIV status data breach
Posted by Matthew on January 29, 2019 in the following categories: Claims Healthcare and tagged with compensation | healthcare sector | medical data breach | medical records | nhs | personal data
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.
Need help for a Bolton Hospital data breach?
Posted by Matthew on January 08, 2019 in the following categories: Healthcare Latest and tagged with healthcare sector | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
Hospital apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson over spying incident
Posted by Matthew on December 14, 2018 in the following categories: Healthcare and tagged with medical data breach | medical records | nhs
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.
Clare Lawson prosecuted by ICO for data breaches
Posted by Matthew on November 09, 2018 in the following categories: Healthcare ICO and tagged with ico | medical data breach | medical records | nhs
Former nurse at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Clare Lawson, joins the long list of prosecuted NHS staff caught snooping on medical records.
We’ve ran so many stories about the prosecutions and penalties enforced by the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) for snooping. The NHS hold a vast wealth of medical data about us, and it’s all private and often very sensitive. We put our faith in the NHS and their staff to look after our confidential information and not abuse their access to it.
This is yet another prosecution for the improper access of medical records. These kinds of medical data breaches are common for us to represent people for.