SECURITY SHOCK
Princess Kate ‘breach’ update as The London Clinic boss breaks silence on claims staff tried to view her medical records
Health minister Maria Caulfield said police have 'been asked to look at' the allegations
THE chief executive of The London Clinic has broken their silence on claims staff tried to view Kate Middleton's medical records.
The Princess of Wales was admitted to the private hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.
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At least one member of staff tried to access Kate's private medical records while she was a patient there, the reports.
It is a criminal offence for any staff in an NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the organisation’s data controller.
The London Clinic's chief executive, Al Russell, has now said "all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken" when looking at alleged data breaches.
In a statement, he said: "Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
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"We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
"We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
"There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues."
Meanwhile health regulators stressed the importance of the confidentiality of patient information.
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A spokesperson for the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, said: "Patients must have confidence that their personal information is protected at all times.
"Our guidance is clear: we expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient's personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.
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"We have a duty to consider whether any concerns raised with us about a doctor's fitness to practise meet the threshold for investigation.
"We will take appropriate action where those concerns pose a risk to patients or public confidence in the profession."
Lesley Maslen, executive director of professional regulation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: "Our code is clear that all nurses, midwives and nursing associates must respect people's right to privacy and confidentiality.
"This includes taking all steps to make sure that people's records are kept securely and information about them is shared appropriately.
"Whenever concerns are raised with us about professionals on our register, we consider whether we may need to take action to protect the public and to maintain trust in our professions."
There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues
Al Russell
Downing Street said people should "get behind the Princess of Wales".
Asked about the alleged breaches at the London Clinic following Kate's treatment, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Clearly there are strict rules on patient data that must be followed."
They added: "I think we all want to get behind the Princess of Wales, and indeed the Prince of Wales, and we obviously wish her the speediest of recoveries."
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which regulates health workers from 15 different professions including radiographers, physiotherapists and paramedics, said its standards "clearly state" that patient information should be treated confidentially.
A spokesperson said: "Our standards of conduct, performance and ethics clearly state that registrants, in any of the fifteen different professions we regulate, must treat information about service users and patients as confidential.
"As with other health and care regulators, we have robust processes in place to ensure patients are protected and any concerns received, which suggest a registrant may not have adhered to our standards, are considered against our threshold policy for fitness to practise investigations.
"We cannot confirm whether or not a registrant is being investigated or a complaint has been made.
"The HCPC has a duty of confidentiality to both complainants and our registrants."
It comes after health minister Maria Caulfield said police have "been asked to look at" the allegations.
All appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken
Al Russell
Speaking on LBC radio, she 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."
Meanwhile the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) launched a probe into the suspected breach.
Officials confirmed the ICO had received a report and is "assessing the information provided".
An insider said: "This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the Royal Family.
"Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palace immediately after the incident was brought to their attention.
"They assured the palace there would be a full investigation."
Kate is understood to have been made aware of the alleged security breach.
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Kensington Palace said: "This is a matter for The London Clinic."
The hospital treats many members of the Royal Family and were caring for King Charles at the same time as Kate was a patient.
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'Lay off Kate'
THE Sun last week led the way in defending Princess Kate when she was being criticised from all angles over the edited photo saga.
Social media trolls were quick to attack the future Queen over her editing of a Mother's Day family picture.
Media critics also weighed in with their opinions alongside the idiotic conspiracy theorists, but The Sun stood alone in saying: Lay off Kate.
Our front page blasted: "The furious attacks on the future Queen over her photoshopping of a Mother's Day family picture are not just absurd.
"They now look like a bullying campaign against a devoted mum, recovering from a serious operation, who simply wanted to offer the public a perfect portrait of her and her kids.
"She meant well, made a mistake and fessed up. Fair enough.
"Now leave her alone to get over her op."
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