NHS Accidently Sends Out Personal Information of HIV Patients
NHS Highland has apologised after accidentally sending out the personal information of 37 patients living with HIV, reports STV.
An email inviting patients to an HIV support group was sent out with the names and addresses of all recipients clearly visible.
“It took me some time to process what I had seen,” one of the patients said.
“I know it stems from a genuine mistake but anonymity and confidentiality are so important.
“I scrolled the list and saw names clearly in some of those addresses, mine included.
“You feel physically sick, people you know, people you might have been with over the years and it sets off all those dark thoughts you had just after diagnosis.”
NHS Highland released a statement apologising for the leak: “NHS Highland deeply regrets that this breach of confidentiality has happened and we have contacted patients individually to apologise.
“As per normal procedure, a formal internal review is being conducted to understand how this has happened and to consider any steps to avoid this happening in future.”
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