Royal Group of Hospitals

HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 c90W

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the accessing by terrorist organisations of medical records at the Royal Group of Hospitals. [124142]

Mr. Paul Murphy

One individual, who was an employee of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), has been charged in relation to intelligence gathering at the RVH. The individuals affected by the intelligence gathering have been informed by the PSNI. The RVH is doing everything possible to assist the police in their investigations.

In addition, the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith), has asked the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to undertake a full and thorough review of patient data security arrangements at all HSS Trusts. A report is expected in the Autumn.