NHS trust suspends ten employees after Noah Woods data breach

An NHS trust has removed ten employees from active duty and apologised to the family of Noah Woods after unauthorised access of his medical records.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Martin Mansfield, who is responsible for health and care information at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust made the apology on Sunday.

He said: “Any unauthorised access of patient data is completely unacceptable. We understand the significant distress it can cause patients and their families. It also undermines trust in our services. Safeguarding that trust is central to the care we provide.

“We have apologised unreservedly to Noah Woods’ family for the extra anguish this breach of trust has caused them at an already devastating time.

“As soon as we became aware of concerns that Noah’s medical records may have been viewed inappropriately, we launched an urgent internal investigation. Immediate steps were also taken to secure the records and prevent further access that was not for a legitimate, clinical reason.

“We have reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and we will continue to keep Noah’s family informed as our investigation progresses.

“We take any patient data breach seriously. We investigate thoroughly, and we will take disciplinary action where needed in response to our findings, in line with the Trust’s policies and procedures.”

ITV News understands ten employees at the trust have been suspended while the investigation is carried out.

Noah Woods was found dead on September 16 in a lake following a huge search in Brantham, Suffolk.

He had been missing since the day before, when he was last seen running from the park in Merriam Close, which he had been visiting with a relative.

An inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich heard that his body was found among tree roots five metres from the bank at Decoy Pond, a lake in the village, after a search by Met Police divers.

Following the inquest hearing, his family described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful” boy “who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went”.

Around 1,300 members of the public joined a search to find the youngster, combing the village and surrounding areas for signs of him.