Police have “been asked to look at” whether staff at The London Clinic attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records, a health minister has said.
Maria Caulfield said there could be “hefty implications” if it turns out anyone accessing the notes without permission, including prosecution or fines. Her response came as The Mirror revealed the private Marylebone hospital - which is where Kate, 42, underwent abdominal surgery in January - was investigating the serious allegations. that at least one employee tried to access the notes at the time of her treatment.
Speaking on LBC radio on Wednesday, Ms Caulfield said: “I say this as someone who’s still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients. That unless you’re looking after that patient, or unless they’ve given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients’ notes.
“So there are rules in place and the Information Commissioner can levy fines, that can be prosecutions, your regulator, so as a nurse my regulator would be the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), can take enforcement action.”
Ms Caulfield added that she understood police had already been asked to look at the claims when questioned whether it should be dealt with as a police matter. “Whether they take action is a matter for them," she told the channel.
Prince William secretly took Kate on 007-style Aston Martin test drive
“But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions, can also issue fines, the NMC, other health regulators can strike you off the register if the breach is serious enough. So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at.”
Details of Kate’s condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private. Kate was seen stepping out in public with William for the first time at the weekend, when the couple were seen at a farm shop close to their home on the Windsor estate.
Looking at somebody's private medical records without permission can result in prosecution from the Information Commissioner's Office in the UK. A spokesperson for the data watchdog said: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”
In a statement on Tuesday, The London Clinic said: “We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.” Kensington Palace meanwhile declined to comment fully, saying: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”
Kate’s hiatus from public life since the surgery has amounted to voracious gossip online with conspiracy theorists speculating about the true nature of her health issues and absence. Footage emerged of the princess out shopping with the Prince of Wales at the weekend.
The royal couple also spent Sunday morning watching Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taking part in a sporting event, according to The Sun. The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the princess admitting to “editing” the image and apologising for any “confusion” caused.
It was reported at the weekend that the princess may speak about her health during public engagements which are not expected to resume until after Easter.
* This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
