[Dataloss] Computer theft in hospital in Bolton England

[Henry Brown]

http://tinyurl.com/2pa7yw

Computer theft hits hundreds of patients
By Paul Keaveny

A COMPUTER containing the personal details of hundreds of patients at 
the Royal Bolton Hospital has been stolen.

Thieves took the laptop when they broke into the department for thoracic 
care, which handles patients with chest and breathing complaints.

The computer contains the information of around 350 patients who 
receive, or have received, oxygen treatment at home. Details include 
names, addresses, dates of birth, NHS numbers, GP practices and some 
details about the patients' oxygen supply.
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The hospital has sent letters to those affected and apologised for any 
concern the theft may cause. Heather Edwards, head of communications at 
the hospital, said: "While we believe the risk of anybody using the 
information contained on the computer is extremely small, we thought 
that it was right for the patients to know what had happened.

"We are very sorry about this and hope it doesn't cause people any undue 
concern." She said engineers for the company which services the oxygen 
supplies carried identification cards and that patients should check 
their ID before letting them in. Mrs Edwards said the information was 
backed-up and patient health and treatment had not been affected.

Cllr Andy Morgan, chairman of the health scrutiny committee, added: "I 
will be asking for a full report to be brought to my committee with 
regards the storage of personal data by both the hospital and the 
Primary Care Trust, to reassure the public that all is being done to 
protect their personal information in Bolton."

The theft in November is being investigated by the police. Last October, 
computer equipment worth around £3,000 and thought to contain important 
medical information was stolen from the hospital.