East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust apologised to Noah Woods’s family for “extra anguish” caused by a breach of his medical records. It launched an urgent investigation and reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The trust said it had taken immediate steps to secure the records and prevent further access that was not for a legitimate clinical reason. It said disciplinary action would be taken if needed and that Noah’s family would be kept informed as the investigation progresses.
Three-year-old Noah went missing in Brantham, Suffolk, on 15 September; police divers found his body in nearby water the next day. At least 1,300 people helped search in the preceding 24 hours. An inquest opened and adjourned last week heard that he had left a play area through a gap in a fence.
