The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has apologised to Noah’s family for the “extra anguish” caused by the unauthorised access to his medical records and launched an “urgent” investigation
Ten NHS staff have been suspended or removed from duty following a data breach involving the medical records of three year old Noah Woods, it was confirmed on Sunday morning.
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has issued an apology to Noah’s family for the “extra anguish” caused by the unauthorised access and has launched an “urgent” investigation into the matter.
Dr Martin Mansfield, the trust’s deputy chief medical officer, stated that any unauthorised access to patient data was “completely unacceptable”.
A trust spokesperson confirmed that 10 members of staff had been “removed from active duty or suspended whilst investigations are concluded”, with disciplinary measures to follow if deemed necessary.
In a statement released on Sunday, Dr Mansfield said immediate action had been taken to secure Noah’s records and prevent any further access that was not for a legitimate clinical reason, reports Wales Online.
He added that the trust had referred the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and would continue to keep Noah’s family updated as the investigation progresses.
Noah disappeared from Brantham in Suffolk, on September 15, sparking a large-scale search involving at least 1,300 people.
His body was recovered the following day from nearby water by police divers.
His family described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful” boy who loved to laugh. His mother has appealed to other parents to “hold their children a little tighter and cherish every moment”.
An inquest into Noah’s death opened on Friday in Ipswich and was told that the three-year-old had got out of a play area “through a gap in the fence”.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill described his death as a “very sad and tragic” one before opening and adjourning the inquest.
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