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London clinic leaks HIV status of patients | London clinic leaks HIV status of patients |
(34 minutes later) | |
A sexual health clinic mistakenly leaked the HIV status of nearly 800 patients, bosses admitted. | A sexual health clinic mistakenly leaked the HIV status of nearly 800 patients, bosses admitted. |
The 56 Dean Street clinic in London's Soho sent out the names and email addresses of 780 patients when a newsletter was issued to people who attend the clinic. | The 56 Dean Street clinic in London's Soho sent out the names and email addresses of 780 patients when a newsletter was issued to people who attend the clinic. |
Patients were supposed to be blind-copied into the email but instead details were sent as a group email. | Patients were supposed to be blind-copied into the email but instead details were sent as a group email. |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the breach was "completely unacceptable". | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the breach was "completely unacceptable". |
Speaking at a conference in Manchester, Mr Hunt said patients needed to feel confident the NHS would look after their personal data. | Speaking at a conference in Manchester, Mr Hunt said patients needed to feel confident the NHS would look after their personal data. |
He said: "The truth is that we will throw this all away if we lose the public's trust in our ability to look after their personal data securely. | |
"If we are going to win that trust we need to strengthen the independent oversight of data security within the NHS to a level that we don't have at the moment." | "If we are going to win that trust we need to strengthen the independent oversight of data security within the NHS to a level that we don't have at the moment." |
A member of staff's "human error" led to the breach, the clinic said. | A member of staff's "human error" led to the breach, the clinic said. |
The Information Commissioner's Office said it was aware of the incident and would be making inquiries. | The Information Commissioner's Office said it was aware of the incident and would be making inquiries. |
Fines for breaches of data protection can reach £500,000. | Fines for breaches of data protection can reach £500,000. |
'I couldn't breathe' | 'I couldn't breathe' |
The centre, along with others in the trust's network, comprises Europe's biggest sexual health service. | The centre, along with others in the trust's network, comprises Europe's biggest sexual health service. |
Patients who have attended HIV clinics and opted in for the clinic's OptionE service were able to see the names and addresses of other patients. | Patients who have attended HIV clinics and opted in for the clinic's OptionE service were able to see the names and addresses of other patients. |
The clinic's online service lets people book appointments and receive test results by email. | The clinic's online service lets people book appointments and receive test results by email. |
One man, a 40-year-old public sector worker, has been HIV positive for 13 years and has been using the Dean Street clinic for five. | One man, a 40-year-old public sector worker, has been HIV positive for 13 years and has been using the Dean Street clinic for five. |
He said: "I felt sick when I realised what had happened. I first saw the email at work but ignored it as I was busy. I then looked at it when I was on the way home from work. I couldn't breathe. | He said: "I felt sick when I realised what had happened. I first saw the email at work but ignored it as I was busy. I then looked at it when I was on the way home from work. I couldn't breathe. |
"I'm concerned who will get this information. If it ends up in the hands of the wrong people, such as hate groups, it could be dynamite." | |
'Monumental mistake' | 'Monumental mistake' |
He said his close friends and family knew about his status but many others did not - including his colleagues at work. | |
"This is a monumental mistake," he added. | "This is a monumental mistake," he added. |
Paul, from London, has been a patient at the clinic since he was diagnosed HIV positive 10 years ago. | |
He said: "I am on the list of email addresses. It is obviously very disappointing that such a simple mistake has been made, given the brilliant care I have received over the years from all at the clinic. | |
"When I received the email, I just deleted it straight away. I didn't want to look down through the other names on the list. It's like finding someone's medical records - you just shouldn't look." | |
Fellow patient James, also from London, said: "I was travelling back from the pride parade in Manchester on Monday when I received this email. | |
"I couldn't believe it when I got it and I've been full of worry since. | |
"I am not ready to disclose my HIV status to my wider friends or family. I fear now that I have no choice." | |
'We screwed up' | 'We screwed up' |
Dr Alan McOwan, consultant and lead clinician at the clinic, said the breach was a "devastating error". | Dr Alan McOwan, consultant and lead clinician at the clinic, said the breach was a "devastating error". |
He added: "Clearly the first priority right now is to be there for the people who use our service. But I think it's really important to say to people not everyone on this list is HIV positive." | He added: "Clearly the first priority right now is to be there for the people who use our service. But I think it's really important to say to people not everyone on this list is HIV positive." |
A lot of the calls the clinic was receiving are from people who were "worried" that information implies all people on the list are HIV positive. | A lot of the calls the clinic was receiving are from people who were "worried" that information implies all people on the list are HIV positive. |
"That actually isn't the case but hands up, we screwed up on this one," he said. | "That actually isn't the case but hands up, we screwed up on this one," he said. |
A spokesperson for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which runs the clinic, said it was "too early" to say what, if any action would be taken against the member of staff. | A spokesperson for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which runs the clinic, said it was "too early" to say what, if any action would be taken against the member of staff. |
Chief executive of the National Aids Trust Deborah Gold said: "Confidentiality is crucial to people living with HIV. | Chief executive of the National Aids Trust Deborah Gold said: "Confidentiality is crucial to people living with HIV. |
"Who people disclose their HIV status to is an extremely personal decision - this type of leak will be very distressing and should not have been possible." | "Who people disclose their HIV status to is an extremely personal decision - this type of leak will be very distressing and should not have been possible." |
She called for all HIV clinics to "urgently review" their processes so such a leak "cannot happen again". | She called for all HIV clinics to "urgently review" their processes so such a leak "cannot happen again". |
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about these issues you can get in touch with us in the following ways: | Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about these issues you can get in touch with us in the following ways: |
We will not publish your name, location or any of your details without your permission. | We will not publish your name, location or any of your details without your permission. |
Or comment here: | Or comment here: |