Call for mediation meeting over NHS Highland data breach claims
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A Caithness man has called for a mediation meeting with NHS Highland boss Pam Dudek over what he claims are data breaches by the health authority.
Peter Todd, from Thurso, has referred his complaints to the Information Commissioner and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman but has asked for the meeting with the chief executive and the clinical director for mental health "to try and find a constructive way forward for both parties".
He is unhappy with the way his medical files have been dealt with and pointed out that he has received information about other patients in the documents.
"The Information Commissioner's investigation into three data breaches is ongoing. I've referred the data breaches to the Ombudsman along with a complaint about a senior manager for attempting to sweep the matter under the carpet. Patients' personal information should not be dished out to every Tom, Dick and Harry," Mr Todd said.
"Multiple data breaches have happened which some patients still haven't been informed about. My file had to be audited several times to make sure it doesn't contain duplicate copies of medical correspondence and was in order.
"The unprofessional behaviour of certain managers has been shocking and yet another example of the bullying culture which is still rife.
"While I welcome the ongoing assistance of the Information Commissioner and certain elected representatives, I call on chief executive Pam Dudek to stop playing hide and seek with me and arrange a mediation meeting," added Mr Todd.
He claimed there is to be an audit of mental health files in NHS Highland in the next six months and welcomed the move. He said: "Managers only have themselves to blame for this massive audit which is now going to take place. The system is supposed to make sure files are in good working order and confidentiality is maintained."
NHS Highland said the request for a mediation meeting has been sent to the chief executive's office and senior clinicians "for their consideration".
Earlier this year, Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss expressed his concern about the "bizarre and very unusual circumstances" which led to Mr Todd receiving personal details about north patients and staff.
Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, contacted Mrs Dudek to find out why it happened. She told him the health authority is taking the claims "very seriously".
Mr Reiss acknowledged that data protection legislation is complicated but said the matter is "highly concerning for obvious reasons".
He said: "It is bizarre and very unusual for someone to get three separate sets of information that should not have been sent to them. I have asked the chief executive questions to help me understand what has happened."
