Following the revelation that NHS Tayside medical records have been found dumped in a bin recess area at the back of tenements in West Port, I have had several constituents express concern about this and I have written to the Chief Executive of NHS Tayside in the following terms:
I would be grateful if you would give me an explanation as to how this happened and a reassurance that, on fully investigating the circumstances as to how this happened, procedures will be tightened to ensure that this could not occur again in the future."
Having in the past raised residents' complaints about the state of some of the back areas at West Port, I have also been again in touch with one of the landlords about getting these back areas properly tidied.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Willie Rennie MSP, has rightly called for a Scotland-wide investigation of the safe and proper disposal of medical records - see below:
A Scotland-wide investigation into information management by the NHS has been called for following the dumping of patient records in Dundee. The records which hold sensitive information on 22 patients from Dundee, Angus and Fife were found dumped in a bin recess in Dundee.
Willie Rennie, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has called for a Scotland wide inquiry.
Commenting, he said:
“This is yet another example of poor control of patient records and information management in the NHS in Scotland. To dump sensitive information in a bin instead of ensuring safe disposal could be an indication of a slack attitude.
“I am pleased that NHS Tayside has already agreed to investigate the matter, but the problem is that NHS Tayside is not alone.
“NHS Ayrshire and Arran were heavily criticised by the Information Commissioner for their management of important information. The failure in Ayrshire and Arran crucially involved learning the lessons from patient deaths.
“The Health Secretary has so far refused to conduct a Scotland wide inquiry but she needs to think again after this latest episode. I urge her today to agree to an inquiry so that the mistakes in Ayrshire and Arran and in Tayside are not repeated.”