After reports that staff at the London Clinic tried to access Kate Middleton’s medical records, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, an independent body for data protection, has announced that they are investigating a potential breach at the hospital. “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided,” said an ICO spokesperson on Wednesday.
In January, the Princess of Wales checked into the London Clinic, a private hospital in the city’s Marylebone district, for a “planned abdominal surgery” and hospital stay that lasted 13 nights. In its original statement, Kensington Palace declined to share further information about her specific condition, though sources close to the princess said that she may later reveal more information about her experience. In recent weeks, however, the speculation about Kate’s health became the center of a global frenzy and social media conspiracies.
On Wednesday, ITV reported that the clinic was investigating three employees after an attempted breach of Kate’s medical records, adding that Kate was informed about the attempts as all patients usually are. The records of King Charles III, who was also a patient at the hospital in January, were not affected, according to ITV.
A hospital “insider” shared specifics about the internal response to the series of events with the Daily Mirror. “This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the royal family. Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palace immediately after the incident was brought to their attention and assured the palace there would be a full investigation,” the insider said. “The whole medical staff have been left utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and were very hurt that a trusted colleague could have possibly been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics.”
In a statement to the tabloid, Kensington Palace said, “This is a matter for the London Clinic.”
In a response to “recent media coverage,” the London Clinic’s CEO Al Russell offered no specifics about the investigation. “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues,” he said. “We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.”
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