Menu
19/06/2012
Health Trust Fined After Patient Files Stolen
The Belfast Health Trust has been fined £225,000 after patient records dating back to 1952 were found in a disused hospital.
The data security breach came to light last year when burglars stole records from the Belvoir Park Hospital site and posted some on the internet with a view to selling them.
The Information Commission imposed the fine, known as a Civil Monetary Penalty, due to the serious breach of the Data Protection Act.
Thousands of patients' records were left unsecured at the site after the hospital was closed in 2006.
They involved sensitive medical data including records, X-rays and test results, as well as 15,000 staff records including unopened payslips.
The trust apologised for the mishap and said it has learned lessons.
If it pays up early, it will receive a discount on the fine, making the cost £180,000.
Health Minister Edwin Poots said the fine was "deeply regrettable" but admitted the breach "should never have happened".
Belfast Health Trust took over responsibility for the closed Belvoir Park Hospital building in 2007 after a reorganisation.
But management failed to properly secure the building, leaving it open to vandalism and theft.
Dr Tony Stevens, medical director of the Trust, said staff thought the property had been "properly secured" by its former managers but following the theft of documents, 50 other empty buildings had been checked and confidential documents removed.
He apologised to people and families affected by the breach and said the documents in question have now been destroyed.
(NE)
The data security breach came to light last year when burglars stole records from the Belvoir Park Hospital site and posted some on the internet with a view to selling them.
The Information Commission imposed the fine, known as a Civil Monetary Penalty, due to the serious breach of the Data Protection Act.
Thousands of patients' records were left unsecured at the site after the hospital was closed in 2006.
They involved sensitive medical data including records, X-rays and test results, as well as 15,000 staff records including unopened payslips.
The trust apologised for the mishap and said it has learned lessons.
If it pays up early, it will receive a discount on the fine, making the cost £180,000.
Health Minister Edwin Poots said the fine was "deeply regrettable" but admitted the breach "should never have happened".
Belfast Health Trust took over responsibility for the closed Belvoir Park Hospital building in 2007 after a reorganisation.
But management failed to properly secure the building, leaving it open to vandalism and theft.
Dr Tony Stevens, medical director of the Trust, said staff thought the property had been "properly secured" by its former managers but following the theft of documents, 50 other empty buildings had been checked and confidential documents removed.
He apologised to people and families affected by the breach and said the documents in question have now been destroyed.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 June 2012
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
22 September 2017
Around 65 Beds To Go Across Northern Health Trust Area
Around 65 beds are to go across the Northern Health Trust area as part of planned cuts to services, the trust has said. 44 beds are being axed at Whiteabbey Hospital in Co Antrim. Management said the cuts were "temporary" at a public meeting in Newtownabbey on Thursday, 21 September. The beds could go as early as Novemeber.
Around 65 Beds To Go Across Northern Health Trust Area
Around 65 beds are to go across the Northern Health Trust area as part of planned cuts to services, the trust has said. 44 beds are being axed at Whiteabbey Hospital in Co Antrim. Management said the cuts were "temporary" at a public meeting in Newtownabbey on Thursday, 21 September. The beds could go as early as Novemeber.
11 August 2010
Street Drinkers Pay The Cost
Five people have been fined at Belfast Magistrates Court for drinking alcohol in public. Tyrone McCann, from Richmond Avenue in Newtownabbey, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Suffolk Road in west Belfast on January 16.
Street Drinkers Pay The Cost
Five people have been fined at Belfast Magistrates Court for drinking alcohol in public. Tyrone McCann, from Richmond Avenue in Newtownabbey, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Suffolk Road in west Belfast on January 16.
24 April 2013
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
10 December 2014
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £1,000
A Belfast taxi operator has been fined £1,000 for four taxi operator offences today at Belfast Magistrates Court. Roderick Hassan, trading as A1 Taxis, Union Street, Belfast, was convicted and fined £200 for keeping false and/or misleading taxi booking records and providing a false statement.
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £1,000
A Belfast taxi operator has been fined £1,000 for four taxi operator offences today at Belfast Magistrates Court. Roderick Hassan, trading as A1 Taxis, Union Street, Belfast, was convicted and fined £200 for keeping false and/or misleading taxi booking records and providing a false statement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will remain cloudy through the evening and overnight with some mist or the odd spot of drizzle possible at times. Light southwest winds continue. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
