Greater Manchester NHS patients hit by medical records scandal

Around 2,000 Greater Manchester NHS patients have been contacted by the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust with regards to unauthorised access of their medical records.

In typical cases where NHS employees have wrongfully accessed medical records, they’ve done so for people they know. These are usually cases of ‘snooping’ on partners, former partners, friends, neighbours and friends, for example. In this incident, a complaint resulted in an investigation that uncovered several incidents of improper access over an 18-month period, involving several NHS employees.

People whose medical records have been unlawfully accessed can be entitled to make a claim for data breach compensation. We’re taking cases forward on a No Win, No Fee basis having been contacted for help.

Data breach claims for Greater Manchester NHS patients

Greater Manchester NHS patients who have been subjected to either single incidents or multiple incidents of improper medical records access can be entitled to make a group action claim for data breach compensation.

Medical records should only be used and accessed by staff when there’s a genuine need to do so. Staff have no business viewing the records for patients in different departments, or those who are not under their care, unless there’s a specific and valid reason for doing so.

In the past, the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has issued penalties to NHS employees for accessing information they shouldn’t have. They’ve also had to issue general warnings and reminders to staff about the fact that they’re breaking the law in engaging in such behaviour.

How we can help you

We specialise in group action cases, and this includes data breach compensation claims. We’re currently representing claimants in dozens of different data breach actions, and we’re able to help Greater Manchester NHS patients who have been affected by this issue.

To assess if there’s a case to answer, we need to know the extent the data that has been exposed in your case. We also need to know if this has caused you to suffer with any anxiety and distress, which can be common in cases that involve the loss of control of personal and sensitive medical information.

At the end of the day, it’s private data for a reason. If you’re eligible to claim, we could then offer to represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis.

How Greater Manchester NHS patients can get in touch

If you’re one of the 2,000 Greater Manchester NHS patients who have been informed by the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust that your records have been inappropriately accessed, click here to see the best ways you can speak to our team.

All our initial advice is available on a free and no-obligation basis.