Private medical files dumped in rubbish

THE owners of a private nursing home were forced to reprimand staff after confidential files belonging to 30 elderly nursing home patients were dumped.

It is the second time files from Brookfield Care Centre, in east Cork, have been found by members of the public. The documents identify patients and contain sensitive information about their care needs.

The first set of files were found on December 22 in household rubbish dumped at the Owenacurra River, near Leamlara. The second were found a short walk away at a forest bridge in early March. After the first set of files were found, the nursing home owners informed the Health Service Executive (HSE) that action had been taken so such confidential information would never leave the home again.