Medical files dumped – Privacy betrayed

LESS than two weeks ago we reported on the discovery of a significant number of health files in a disused landfill outside Cork city.

These files contained extensive details of the health histories of a significant number of people. Yesterday the Southern Hospitals Group said that it has retrieved only 15 “fully legible sets of note”.

To even the least suspicious eyes this phrase is so broad as to be meaningless and can only be a cause for further suspicion.

The reality is this: the files should not have been where they were in the first place and the confidentiality that must surround the relationship between a patient and health professionals was breached.

Though hard copies of health records are no longer used (being replaced by computer-based archives) the same principle must apply — anyone using our health services is entitled to their confidentiality and privacy and in this instance that was breached.