Kate Middleton: Up to three hospital workers under investigation over medical records ‘breach’

Up to three staff at the private hospital where the Princess of Wales had surgery are being investigated for allegedly accessing her medical records, it’s been claimed.

Sources said three workers at the London Clinic could have tried to read her notes, according to The Mirror.

They could potentially face disciplinary action for any breach of data, and could be charged with a criminal offence by the data-protection watchdog and face an unlimited fine if they are found to have unlawfully accessed her records.

 

The hospital’s chief executive has promised a thorough investigation. Kate was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.

The King’s personal data was not compromised during the alleged data breach at the London Clinic, it is understood.
The King and Kate were separately discharged from the clinic just hours apart on January 29.

In a statement, chief executive of the London Clinic Al Russell said: “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

Scotland Yard could be called in to investigate the reported action at the clinic in Marylebone, the paper said.

Health minister Maria Caulfield has already said police have been asked to look into the case.

Frenzy creates ‘chilling feeling’ like before Diana’s death, says royal
The editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine has said the online rumours and frenzy around Kate were “spiralling out of control”.

Ingrid Seward said she had a “chilling feeling” that reminded her of the time just before the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Ms Seward told Times Radio: “For me, it sort of has a very chilling feeling.

“It reminds me that just before the Princess of Wales was – the other, you know, Diana, Princess of Wales – was tragically killed in that car accident, it was spiralling out of control then.

“I remember every single day it was headline news – what she was doing on her holiday in France with Dodi Fayed.

“I just remember saying, ‘this is spiralling out of control’. And I’ve got the same feeling now.”

She said the royal family was entitled to privacy.

But Ms Seward warned that the Windsors needed a new strategy, and suggested the late Queen’s advice to ignore rumours belonged to a different era.

“I think it is a world that’s gone. As much as it did used to work. ‘Never complain, never explain’ did work, but it doesn’t work now, not in the age of social media,” she said.

Camilla was greeted by staff at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast as she arrived at the royal residence on Wednesday evening.

She will undertake a series of engagements on Thursday.

Accessing records could be criminal offence, warns watchdog

Data-protection watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office has put out questions and answers in view of the investigation over accessing the Princess of Wales’ medical records. It warns it could be a criminal offence, saying:

Should I be worried about someone looking at my medical records?Organisations have a responsibility to look after your personal information carefully. That means keeping it secure, and making sure it can only be seen by people who need to use it.If organisations do not keep your personal information safe in line with the law, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can step in.What can the ICO do?An organisation must report misuse of personal data to the ICO if there is a risk to people’s rights and freedoms, which is often the case with sensitive medical information.This must be reported within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.

What happens next?Accessing someone’s medical records without cause or consent can be a criminal offence.If the ICO investigates and finds evidence that medical records were accessed illegally, it can take action.This can include prosecuting and fining the person responsible in court.For example, last year the ICO prosecuted a medical secretary who accessed over 150 people’s records. She was fined by the courts.The ICO can also take action against organisations, including fines, if an investigation finds they did not do enough to protect people’s personal information. For example, last year the ICO reprimanded an NHS Trust after it allowed a member of the public to read patient’s medical records.

William was on official duties today amid speculation about Kate’s health.

The Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, met military personnel from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor, Berkshire.

Surgery a week after birthday

Kate was admitted to hospital a week after her 42nd birthday:

How Princess of Wales will likely celebrate her 42nd birthday

Police have been asked to look into the alleged attempt to look at the princess’s records, health minister Maria Caulfield said.

“Whether they take action is a matter for them,” she told LBC radio.

“But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions,” she added.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Independent the force was not aware of any referral.

Kate medical ‘breach’ probe launched as BBC journalist shares farm shop conspiracy

Kate Middleton conspiracy theorists are ‘delusional’, says farm shop customer who filmed royals

Kate conspiracy theorists have been branded “delusional” by the customer who filmed the Prince and Princess of Wales leaving a farm shop together.

Nelson Silva, 40, said he saw a “relaxed” princess with his “own eyes” as she shopped with William in the meat section of the upmarket grocery on the Windsor Park estate on Saturday.

As frenzied speculation over Kate’s health reaches fever pitch, the 40-year-old father said his sighting should finally put the wild rumours to bed. “What more do you need to lay off her?” the engineer said, afterThe Sun published the footage.

Farm shop customer who filmed Kate and William breaks silence on conspiracy theories

Health regulators stress the importance of patient information confidentiality

Health regulators stressed the importance of the confidentiality of patient information amid allegations of a medical record breach at The London Clinic when the Princess of Wales was a patient.

A spokesperson for the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, said: “Patients must have confidence that their personal information is protected at all times.

“Our guidance is clear: we expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient’s personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.

“We have a duty to consider whether any concerns raised with us about a doctor’s fitness to practise meet the threshold for investigation.

“We will take appropriate action where those concerns pose a risk to patients or public confidence in the profession.”

Lesley Maslen, executive director of professional regulation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: “Our code is clear that all nurses, midwives and nursing associates must respect people’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

“This includes taking all steps to make sure that people’s records are kept securely and information about them is shared appropriately.

“Whenever concerns are raised with us about professionals on our register, we consider whether we may need to take action to protect the public and to maintain trust in our professions.”

The uncomfortable truth about Kate and William that nobody wants to admit

With the memory of their mother still casting a long shadow, both Harry and William are determined to do things their own way.

But, asks Tessa Dunlop, after a week of turmoil and many questions left unanswered, does this spell trouble in a world where there are now more palaces than major royal players?

There are some who love nothing more than a conspiracy theory, or better still one laced with a whiff of royal scandal; the “disappearance of Kate Middleton” and that Mother’s Day photograph have gripped audiences around the world. Especially in America.

TMZ, the USA’s behemoth showbiz site, insisted the palace has “got caught in a lie … confidence is shot”. Time magazine ran a similar editorial: “The royal family has a trust problem.” Both have a point, but Kensington Palace doesn’t see it like that. And nor do Britain’s supposedly attack-dog tabloids.

The uncomfortable truth about Kate and William nobody wants to admit

Hospital in alleged Kate data breach says all disciplinary steps will be taken

The hospital at the centre of claims staff attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records has vowed “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken”.

Chief executive of the London Clinic, Al Russell, said: “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

The UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is looking into the alleged royal data breach at the private hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery and is in the process of assessing the information.

Hospital in alleged Kate data breach says all disciplinary steps will be taken

No 10 weighs in: People should ‘get behind the Princess of Wales’

Downing Street said people should “get behind the Princess of Wales”.

Asked about the alleged breaches at the London Clinic following Kate’s treatment, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Clearly there are strict rules on patient data that must be followed.”

Asked whether people should give Kate a break, the spokesman said: “I think we all want to get behind the Princess of Wales, and indeed the Prince of Wales, and we obviously wish her the speediest of recoveries.”

London Clinic chief executive responds to medical record breach allegations
13:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The chief executive of the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated earlier this year, has said “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken” when looking at alleged data breaches.

Responding to allegations that at least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the hospital in January, Al Russell said: “Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.

“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.

“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.

“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

BBC journalist says farm shop video is hoax

A BBC journalist has weighed in on the growing speculation that the woman videoed shopping with Prince William is not the Princess of Wales.

Sports presenter Sonja McLaughlan commented on a video that compares the woman in the latest footage with pictures of Kate.

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“Some newspapers are reporting it as fact. But it’s not her. No conspiracy theorist but all very odd.”

The footage in question was published by The Sun and appears to show the princess smiling as she walked alongside her husband outside Windsor Farm Shop, which is a short drive from their home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Met Police not aware of referral following reports of alleged medical records breach

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Independent the force is not aware of any referral at this time, following reports of the alleged breach at The London Clinic.

Although it is a criminal offence under the Data Protection Act 2018 to unlawfully access personal data without consent, prosecutions are usually brought by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The offence is punishable by way of an unlimited fine.

The ICO has confirmed it has received a breach report and is assessing the information.

Section 170 of the Act criminalises “knowingly or recklessly obtaining, disclosing or procuring personal data without the consent of the data controller, and the sale or offering for sale of that data”.

According to the CPS website, the law is most commonly used to prosecute those who access healthcare and financial records without a legitimate reason.

Watch: Ed Davey calls for investigation into claims staff tried to access Princess Kate’s medical records
Health minister says it would be ‘disappointing’ if Kate’s private medical notes were accessed

Health minister Maria Caulfield said it would be “very disappointing” if the Princess of Wales’s notes had been accessed.

She told Sky News that it is “pretty serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don’t have permission to”.

She said: “Just to reassure your viewers, these rules apply to all patients, so there are very strict rules about which patient notes you can access.

“You’re only allowed to access the patient notes you’re caring for, and with their permission, and there’s really strict rules.

“The Information Commissioner would take enforcement action against trusts or primary care practices, but also, as individual practitioners, your regulatory body… would take action as well.

Ms Caulfield added: “From a health perspective, it’s not acceptable to be looking at people’s notes, but it has been spotted and action has been taken so people can be reassured that if it does happen – particularly with electronic notes these days, it’s spotted pretty quickly if someone’s accessing notes that they shouldn’t be.”

The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.

Kate Middleton lookalike forced to deny conspiracy she is in farm shop footage with William

A Kate Middleton lookalike has been forced to deny a bizarre conspiracy theory claiming she stepped in for the Princess of Wales during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor with Prince William.

Heidi Agan even provided an alibi for where she was when the video was taken as she called on people to stop stirring up speculation that she says has sent her own social media channel “crazy”.

The 43-year-old, who has been impersonating Kate for 12 years, said that while the royal couple had been visiting Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, she had been working as a teacher at a dance and musical theatre group.

Kate Middleton lookalike forced to deny conspiracy she is in farm shop footage

Jimmy Kimmel compares Kate Middleton conspiracies to ‘missing’ Melania Trump

Jimmy Kimmel has weighed in on the conspiracy theories swirling round Kate Middleton – likening her apparent disappearance to that of “missing” Melania Trump.

The Princess of Wales has not appeared in public since Christmas Day, when she made her last official public appearance before Buckingham Palace announced she was undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January.

Mr Kimmel joined in the saga on his late-night show on Tuesday night and compared her absence to that of Donald Trump’s wife.

 

Jimmy Kimmel compares Kate Middleton conspiracies to ‘missing’ Melania Trump

Health minister Maria Caulfield said there are hefty implications” for accessing the notes without permission, including prosecution or fines.

Speaking on LBC radio on Wednesday, Ms Caulfield said: “I say this as someone who’s still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients.

“That unless you’re looking after that patient, or unless they’ve given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients’ notes.

“So there are rules in place and the Information Commissioner can levy fines, that can be prosecutions, your regulator, so as a nurse my regulator would be the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), can take enforcement action.”

Asked if the police should look into the matter, she said: “My understanding is that police have been asked to look at it – whether they take action is a matter for them.

“But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions, can also issue fines, the NMC, other health regulators can strike you off the register if the breach is serious enough.

“So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at.”

Police ‘asked to look at’ alleged medical record breach at The London Clinic

Police have “been asked to look at” whether staff at The London Clinic attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records, a health minister has said.

Maria Caulfield said there could be “hefty implications” for accessing the notes without permission, including prosecution or fines.

According to The Mirror, an investigation has been launched at the private central London hospital after at least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient there in January.

Top private hospital at centre of row over Kate’s medical records

The eyes of the world are once again on the top private hospital in London known for treating royalty, politicians and actors.

But this time the clinic will not welcome the attention after it was claimed that staff tried to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records.

Top private hospital at centre of row over Kate’s medical records

Why Princess of Wales conspiracy theories have gone viral, according to psychologist

A psychologist has explained why so many conspiracy theories surrounding the Princess of Wales have gone viral.

Since Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January, she has rarely been seen in public, prompting numerous conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.

Psychology lecturer and conspiracy expert Darel Cookson has explained the reasons behind these going viral.

In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday (19 March), Ms Cookson said: “The exposure online is phenomenal. So many people are seeing this. They see it from different sources and are more likely to take it on board.

“Research also tends to show that if we see people we relate to and know sharing conspiracy theories then we are more likely to believe them.”

Comedians joke about Kate speculation at Royal Albert Hall

Joe Lycett was among the comedians who made reference to the Princess of Wales’ absence from public life at a charity comedy event at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Birmingham comedian was joined by a host of British stand-ups including Kevin Bridges, Rob Beckett and John Bishop for the fundraising gig in aid of the Teenager Cancer Trust.

Before his set, Lycett briefly came down to the audience to experience their view as he noted he had never been to the venue, which is closely linked to the royal family.

As he received assistance from security to get back on the stage, he joked “I feel like a royal“, before quickly adding “Where is she?” causing the audience to bust into laughter.

 

Later in the night, stand-up Paul Chowdhry joked about his confusion at people who severely edit their images on dating apps and later have to explain why they do not look the same in real life.

He quickly chimed in saying “who edited your pictures? Kate Middleton”, referencing the controversy after the princess personally apologised for the “confusion” over the digitally altered family photograph released by Kensington Palace.

Hospital staff where Kate had surgery ‘tried to access her medical records’

An investigation has reportedly been launched at The London Clinic over claims staff tried to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records.

At least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the private hospital in central London in January, The Mirror reported.

The princess was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.

Details of Kate’s condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private.

An Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”

Kensington Palace said: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”

Trump warning over Prince Harry visa if he becomes president

The Duke of Sussex could face consequences if he lied about taking drugs on his US visa application, former American president Donald Trump has said.

In a preview of an interview between Mr Trump and GB News presenter Nigel Farage on Tuesday evening, the Republican party’s presumptive nominee for the 2024 US presidential election said Harry should not receive preferential treatment.

Asked if Harry should have “special privileges” if he is found to have lied in his application, Mr Trump said: “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”

However, Mr Trump refused to be drawn on whether Harry could be forced to leave the US, where he currently lives with his wife and children.