Former Defence Forces officer accused of altering medical records

The allegation that her electronic health records were wrongly altered is the latest in a number of allegations about the Defence Forces’ Socrates system. File photo

A former Defence Forces officer is accused of “knowingly or wrongfully” altering electronic medical records in a way that resulted in a female former captain being de-selected for overseas service.

It is alleged the changes led to her operational status being downgraded between July and December 2020.

Defence Forces Tribunal lawyers have ordered the Defence Forces to hand over documents relating to a complaint subsequently made by the former captain about the alleged conduct of the officer.

The lawyers said they will seek an order requiring the chief of staff of the Defence Forces to provide a range of documents by October 7.

In a notice published late last week, they say the categories of documents sought are "discrete" and relate to a former Defence Forces captain who engaged with the tribunal during the private investigative phase of its inquiry.

The documents include details of a Military Police investigation into an allegation made by the ex-captain that a former officer “knowingly and/or wrongfully input into the Socrates system false and/or incorrect information” in relation to her medical status in or around May 14, 2020.

Tribunal lawyers allege that this “led to her medical downgrading and de-selection for overseas service”. Socrates is the electronic military medical records system used across facilities.

They want to see “all statements, notes, records of investigations and interviews, reports, determinations, recordings, memoranda and records of written and electronic correspondence and communications of any kind” in relation to the military investigation.

The tribunal is also seeking all documents relating to an appeal made by the former captain to one of the Defence Forces' most senior officers on October 21, 2020, concerning her de-selection for overseas service.

The tribunal stated it was "satisfied it is necessary and proportionate, and in the interests of justice", to examine the categories of documentation identified.

“Such documents are relevant, in that (the ex-captain) alleges she suffered retaliation and reprisals consequent upon her making a ‘complaint of abuse’. The tribunal is aware that a Military Police investigation was carried out into the said allegations.

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“It is also aware that [she] appealed on or around October 21, 2020, in respect of her de-selection for overseas service.”

The allegation that her electronic health records were wrongly altered is the latest in a number of allegations about the Defence Forces’ Socrates system.

Whistleblower Alan Nolan, a retired sergeant major, warned the Defence Forces in 2015 that Socrates was not fit for purpose.

In August 2023, the Irish Examiner revealed an investigation was under way into a data protection breach of Socrates and the alleged actions of a healthcare worker at a military medical facility.

The Defence Forces said at the time it was the third alleged breach in relation to the system in five years.

The 2023 Independent Review Group panel into the Defence Forces included concerns around access and management of patient medical records within the Defence Forces, as well as highlighting abuse, persecution, victimisation, and penalisation of soldiers.

In January 2023, it emerged the medical data of up to 50 soldiers — including one who had died — was allegedly accessed without authorisation.