Investigation into alleged NHS data breach over death of 9-year-old Minnie Merriman
Minnie died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on Monday after being found injured in Arbroath
NHS Tayside is investigating allegations of a data breach involving the unauthorised access of medical records after the death of a nine-year-old girl in Arbroath.
Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, was found fatally injured after midnight on Monday at the Elliot industrial estate while camping with her family.
Her alleged murderer, 35-year-old Christopher Rice, has been charged and appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday where he was remanded in custody.
It's claimed Ninewells Hospital staff accessed Minnie’s medical records without clinical need or permission.
NHS Tayside is responsible for managing Ninewells Hospital.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach, which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information."
They added that governance procedures for any data protection breach entail recording and investigating the matter, with reports possibly being submitted to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters,” the spokesperson said.
Minnie’s family issued a plea for privacy in a statement shared by Police Scotland, saying: “We are devastated with the loss of our beloved, absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo."
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