An NHS trust has terminated the employment of 11 staff members for unauthorized access to the medical records of victims affected by the Nottingham attacks. Valdo Calocane caused the tragic deaths of two students, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, as well as caretaker Ian Coates, and attempted to harm three others in June 2023.
The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) confirmed the dismissal of the implicated staff following an investigation into improper access to the victims’ medical files. Additionally, 14 employees received disciplinary actions in the form of written warnings but retained their positions. The individuals under scrutiny included doctors, nurses, registered medical professionals, and administrators, with the specific roles of those dismissed undisclosed.
Emma Webber, Barnaby Webber’s mother, expressed shock at the news of 11 dismissals and 14 disciplinary actions, highlighting the misconduct involving 150 staff members accessing the records. She emphasized the need for a thorough review of the legitimacy of the 48 staff members granted access, questioning the rationale provided for their actions.
Dr. Manjeet Shehmar, NUH’s medical director, extended apologies to the victims’ families and emphasized the trust’s zero-tolerance stance on unauthorized access to medical records. She reiterated the importance of lawful and justified access to patient records, underlining the detrimental impact of improper access on patient care.
Furthermore, the trust has notified relevant authorities, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and Nottinghamshire Police, regarding the breach. The follow-up actions involve engagement with independent regulators like the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Medical Council to address the issue comprehensively.
In a separate incident, staff at the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group faced accusations of unauthorized access to the medical records of victims from the Southport attack. This incident involved the tragic deaths of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar at a dance event, with several survivors, including Leanne Lucas, having their records inappropriately accessed.
Leanne Lucas expressed dismay and violation of privacy due to the breach, questioning the delayed disclosure of the incident. Legal representatives of the victims condemned the breach as a severe violation of privacy and an abuse of power by the trust.
The UHLG’s chief executive, James Sumner, issued a formal apology to the affected patients, acknowledging the distress caused and emphasizing the importance of patient confidentiality. He assured transparency in addressing the breaches and taking necessary disciplinary actions against staff involved.
The trust’s commitment to upholding patient confidentiality and taking appropriate measures to address breaches has been reiterated, underscoring the significance of maintaining trust and professionalism in healthcare settings.