Action plan for vocational rehab patients at Thurso hospital after 'fruitful meeting'
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AN action plan has been set up for a return to face-to-face appointments for vocational rehabilitation patients at Dunbar hospital in Thurso.
The move follows "a fruitful meeting" last week between Caithness man, Peter Todd and senior executives from NHS Highland.
"This is fantastic news for all patients," Mr Todd told the John O' Groat Journal. Vocational rehabilitation can help people recover from physical or mental health problems.
The 39 year-old is unhappy with the psychiatric service provided to him and others in the far north and has received an apology from the health authority.
Mr Todd, who has three outstanding complaints lodged with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about management practices, claimed the executives have agreed "to fully co-operate with the multiple investigations."
But he is "appalled" they stayed in Caithness overnight. "They should have travelled between Inverness and Caithness in a day to experience the travelling patients have to do," he said.
The ICO is an independent watchdog which promotes openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
Mr Todd, who lives in Thurso, says NHS Highland has not confirmed or denied that confidential documents relating to his involvement in an historical abuse case "have gone astray" and says the "continuing institutional arrogance from managers is absolutely astonishing."
He is also concerned he received medical documents belonging to another patient and is unsure if that other person knows about the error.
As reported last week, he was shocked to discover the mistake and believes the rogue entry could have been present for up to three years.
Mr Todd wanted to see the content of his file, which he sought as he continues his recovery from a mental health condition linked to historic abuse.
As well as information about another patient, it contained confidential material about a clinician.
Mr Todd arranged for the file to be returned but is waiting to find out if managers have informed the patient the medical documents were sent to another person.
NHS Highland has apologised for “an administrative error” and has confirmed it has referred the complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
