NWAS Investigates Up to 10 Staff Over Southport Victims' Records as NHS Breach Scandal Widens
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 14
NWAS Investigates Up to 10 Staff Over Southport Victims' Records as NHS Breach Scandal Widens
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 14
Summary
North West Ambulance Service has opened a formal investigation into potential improper access to Southport attack victims' medical records, with documents indicating fewer than 10 staff may have viewed one survivor's file without cause.
The probe follows a May disclosure that nearly 50 Aintree Hospital staff inappropriately accessed some victims' records after the July 2024 attack, which killed three girls and physically injured 10 others.
Families and survivors said they learned of the possible ambulance-service breach only while reviewing hospital documents, and solicitors for 22 of the 23 surviving girls are seeking an NHS England review of data-access rules and discipline.
NWAS has notified the Information Commissioner's Office and said affected patients and families will be contacted as inquiries progress; the ICO said it could consider criminal investigations if data-protection laws were broken.
The case adds to a broader pattern of NHS snooping incidents, after Nottingham took action against 25 staff over stabbing victims' records and Cambridge investigated about 40 staff over a child's file.