Home / Crime and Justice / NHS Trust Stonewalled Families Over Victim Record Access
NHS Trust Stonewalled Families Over Victim Record Access
8 Mar
Summary
- Nearly 100 NHS staff accessed records of murder victims.
- Families feel stonewalled, seeking transparency from the trust.
- An investigation found 47 staff had no legitimate reason for access.
An NHS trust is facing criticism after nearly 100 staff accessed the medical records of victims from a recent triple murder. Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were killed in June 2023. Shortly after their deaths, medics and clerical staff at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust reportedly accessed confidential A&E notes. The victims' families have expressed deep concern and a sense of being stonewalled, stating they have fought for transparency. An internal probe identified 47 staff who had no legitimate reason for accessing the records, with a further 48 deemed to have had access for reasons such as 'clinical care' or 'care planning'.
Medical director Dr. Manjeet Shehmar apologized for the 'additional pain' caused by the data breach and stated that the families are updated regularly. The perpetrator, Valdo Calocane, admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and received an indefinite hospital order. A public inquiry into the tragic events is ongoing, with families continuing to seek the full truth regarding the multiple failures uncovered.
