ICO: Data protection technology 'lacking' in NHS
Date posted: 28 May 2009
Data protection breaches by the NHS have prompted a demand for immediate improvements from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), it has been revealed.
Inspectors are set to be sent to examine the data protection practices across NHS hospitals, following a number of high-profile breaches in the last six months, reports the Independent.
Personal information stored on electronic and mobile devices has been involved in some of the most recent incidents, according to the ICO.
Data protection breaches by the NHS have prompted a demand for immediate improvements from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), it has been revealed.
Inspectors are set to be sent to examine the data protection practices across NHS hospitals, following a number of high-profile breaches in the last six months, reports the Independent.
Personal information stored on electronic and mobile devices has been involved in some of the most recent incidents, according to the ICO.
Speaking to the newspaper, assistant information commissioner responsible for enforcement Mick Gorrill said that the NHS "is by far the biggest offender within the public sector".
He said: "There is a complete disconnect between the procedures laid down by managers and what happens on the ground.
"We need a complete audit to try to change the culture."
On April 30th, the ICO announced that four NHS organisations had breached the Data Protection Act.
The trusts all signed formal undertakings following the incident to bring personal information storage methods in line with the Act, including encrypting all portable mobile devices used to store and transmit information.
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