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Pharmacy chain leaks personal details of 24,000 workers | Pharmacy chain leaks personal details of 24,000 workers |
(35 minutes later) | |
A major pharmacy chain has apologised after admitting sensitive employee information was leaked. | A major pharmacy chain has apologised after admitting sensitive employee information was leaked. |
The details of more than 24,000 staff and locum workers employed by the Manchester-based Well Pharmacy group were accidentally included in an email. | |
The leaked data included names, addresses, phone and payroll numbers and email addresses. | The leaked data included names, addresses, phone and payroll numbers and email addresses. |
The company has stressed that no patient information formed part of the data. | The company has stressed that no patient information formed part of the data. |
The Well Pharmacy group - formerly the Co-Operative Pharmacy - describes itself as the biggest independent chain in the UK. | The Well Pharmacy group - formerly the Co-Operative Pharmacy - describes itself as the biggest independent chain in the UK. |
It employs more than 7,000 staff in 780 shops. | It employs more than 7,000 staff in 780 shops. |
'Full investigation' | 'Full investigation' |
The data leak occurred earlier this month when an email was sent to an undisclosed number of locum pharmacists. | The data leak occurred earlier this month when an email was sent to an undisclosed number of locum pharmacists. |
The email contained a spreadsheet that included the details of employees and locums. | The email contained a spreadsheet that included the details of employees and locums. |
Efforts were made to recall the email but now the company has apologised and launched an investigation. | Efforts were made to recall the email but now the company has apologised and launched an investigation. |
In an email to staff, Chris Ellett, a senior manager responsible for safeguarding data at Well, said the email did not contain bank details, National Insurance numbers or dates of birth. | In an email to staff, Chris Ellett, a senior manager responsible for safeguarding data at Well, said the email did not contain bank details, National Insurance numbers or dates of birth. |
"How we handle your personal data at Well is very important and I am truly sorry that this has happened," he said. | "How we handle your personal data at Well is very important and I am truly sorry that this has happened," he said. |
"Any incident involving personal data is serious and I have launched a full investigation. | "Any incident involving personal data is serious and I have launched a full investigation. |
"Changes have already been made to prevent this happening again. | "Changes have already been made to prevent this happening again. |
"The Information Commissioner's Office has been informed and we will act immediately on any advice they provide." | "The Information Commissioner's Office has been informed and we will act immediately on any advice they provide." |
'Blacklist' | 'Blacklist' |
The Pharmacists' Defence Association, the professional trade union, has advised those members who have received the email "not to open the attachment and to permanently delete the spreadsheet". | The Pharmacists' Defence Association, the professional trade union, has advised those members who have received the email "not to open the attachment and to permanently delete the spreadsheet". |
In a statement, the union said that some pharmacists have expressed concerns about what other data is included in the email. | In a statement, the union said that some pharmacists have expressed concerns about what other data is included in the email. |
"Members believe the information includes data about their religion, pay rates, fitness to practice information and criminal record checks. | "Members believe the information includes data about their religion, pay rates, fitness to practice information and criminal record checks. |
"There are also concerns that the data held about them by Well Pharmacy amounts to a "blacklist", as it includes a column entitled "reasons for inactivation". | "There are also concerns that the data held about them by Well Pharmacy amounts to a "blacklist", as it includes a column entitled "reasons for inactivation". |
"Our members want to know what information has been recorded about them and how it was put in the public domain." | "Our members want to know what information has been recorded about them and how it was put in the public domain." |
In his email to Well staff, Mr Ellett denies this is the case. | In his email to Well staff, Mr Ellett denies this is the case. |
"The document also contains additional information to assist us in successfully placing individuals where appropriate. | "The document also contains additional information to assist us in successfully placing individuals where appropriate. |
"It does not contain any information relating to personal characteristics. | "It does not contain any information relating to personal characteristics. |
"We have been made aware that a number of locums believe this is a list of 'banned' individuals. | "We have been made aware that a number of locums believe this is a list of 'banned' individuals. |
"We want to reassure you that this is not true." | "We want to reassure you that this is not true." |
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