Patient records from Ballina hospital found in bin

The HSE and Data Protection Commissioner have both launched investigations after patient notes were found in a bin in Ballina’s town centre.

PATIENT RECORDS FROM Ballina District Hospital were found in a bin in the town centre, it was confirmed today.

According to the Mayo Advertiser, notes from St Joseph’s District Hospital were found in a bin in a Ballina estate by a litter warden. They were then returned to the hospital.

The Health Service Executive has told RTÉ that the patients affected by the incident have been informed and an apology has been issued.

According to a family member of one patient, the records included the name and medical condition of the person who attended the hospital. However, the HSE claimed the details in the notes were minimal.

The Data Commissioner has launched an investigation into the incident.The HSE advised people with any concerns about the matter to contact the director of nursing at the hospital.

The incident comes just weeks after dozens of private medical records were discovered in a bin outside Roscommon County Hospital.

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Patient records from Ballina hospital found in bin

Read more on the Ballina incident in the Mayo Advertiser >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.