Clinic staff face inquiry over royal data breach
Private hospital caught up in allegations that three employees tried to access Princess of Wales’s records
THREE members of staff at the private clinic where the Princess of Wales was treated in January are being investigated for allegedly trying to access her medical records, it has been reported.
They face possible prosecution under data protection laws and could even be sued for damages by the Princess if the breach is proven.
Yesterday, the boss of the London Clinic, which treated both the King and the Princess, said there was “no place” for staff who breach the trust of patients.
Al Russell, chief executive of the exclusive medical centre in Marylebone, said “all appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken” against anyone found to have committed a breach of patient confidentiality.
The clinic is facing an investigation after referring itself to the watchdog over concerns that an unauthorised attempt was made to view the Princess’s medical records following her abdominal surgery.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it had received a report of a breach and is “assessing the information provided”.
The King’s personal data was not compromised during the alleged data breach at the London Clinic.
King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for a form of cancer, also spent three nights at the medical centre during the same month, receiving care for an enlarged prostate.
The King and the Princess were separately discharged from the clinic just hours apart on Jan 29.
Yesterday Downing Street urged the public to “get behind the Princess of Wales” as she continues her recovery, following months of speculation about her health.
Kensington Palace has released few details about the Princess’s treatment during her two-week stay at the clinic, and her absence from the public eye has fostered wild theories online about why she was in hospital, and even whether she is still alive.
As conspiracy theories swirled around the internet, an attempt appears to have been made to access the Princess’s medical notes, according to ITV News.
Mr Russell said: “Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
A spokesman for the General Medical Council said: “We expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient’s personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.”
Maria Caulfield, the health minister, warned there would be “hefty implications” for anyone who had unlawfully accessed confidential patient records.
‘There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients’