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Baby records theft sparks inquiry Baby records theft sparks inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
An inquiry is under way after the records of babies born in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital were handed in after apparently being stolen.An inquiry is under way after the records of babies born in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital were handed in after apparently being stolen.
Letters have been sent to 175 parents after the records of babies born between 2001 and 2008 were given to NHS Grampian. Letters of apology have been sent to 175 parents after the records of their babies born between 2001 and 2008 were given to NHS Grampian.
The documents appeared to have been stolen during the disposal process. The documents appeared to have been stolen before they could be shredded.
Most parents are from the north east, with others from Lanarkshire, Shetland, Orkney, Tayside and Ayrshire and Arran.Most parents are from the north east, with others from Lanarkshire, Shetland, Orkney, Tayside and Ayrshire and Arran.
The records were handed to the health board anonymously by a member of the public.The records were handed to the health board anonymously by a member of the public.
Any breach of security is taken very seriously and letters have been sent to all 175 parents alerting them to the theft and apologising for the breach NHS Grampian We very much regret that this has happened and apologise sincerely Richard CareyNHS Grampian chief executive
The information contained details of mothers' names, date of caesarean section, the time of the decision to carry out the section, and time of birth.The information contained details of mothers' names, date of caesarean section, the time of the decision to carry out the section, and time of birth.
The data was being used for an audit in the labour ward, designed to see if there were delays for mothers once a decision has been made to perform a section.The data was being used for an audit in the labour ward, designed to see if there were delays for mothers once a decision has been made to perform a section.
An internal investigation was launched, and Grampian Police have been notified.An internal investigation was launched, and Grampian Police have been notified.
An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "The circumstances of the loss are being fully investigated by NHS Grampian but it may be impossible to find out exactly what happened. NHS Grampian chief executive Richard Carey told BBC Scotland: "We very much regret that this has happened and apologise sincerely. We felt we had to write to the parents concerned.
"Nevertheless, any breach of security is taken very seriously and letters have been sent to all 175 parents alerting them to the theft and apologising for the breach. "What we think has happened is someone has put their hand into a bag prior to it being sent for shredding.
"The parents are mainly resident in the north east, but 13 are from Shetland, Orkney, Tayside. Ayrshire and Arran, and Lanarkshire." "Someone has been able to access that bag before it was uplifted by the porters. That's something we need to tighten up."
The spokesperson added: "Guidance has been issued to staff reinforcing existing data security policies." Guidance has been issued to staff "reinforcing existing data security policies".
In April, a laptop containing personal details of almost 1,400 patients was stolen from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.In April, a laptop containing personal details of almost 1,400 patients was stolen from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
NHS Grampian said it was taken from a locked office cupboard in the gastro-intestinal area.NHS Grampian said it was taken from a locked office cupboard in the gastro-intestinal area.
It contained details of 1,392 patients including names and addresses, dates of birth, and coded clinical information.It contained details of 1,392 patients including names and addresses, dates of birth, and coded clinical information.
The data was said to be double password protected.The data was said to be double password protected.
Have you been affected by the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital baby records incident? Contact the BBC Scotland news website by clicking here hereto send an email, or pasting newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk into an email.Have you been affected by the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital baby records incident? Contact the BBC Scotland news website by clicking here hereto send an email, or pasting newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk into an email.