CONFIDENTIAL patient files that were left in a public area of a Colwyn Bay medical centre was due to an ‘error’, the centre said.
Terriann Griffith, a patient at the West End Medical Centre, Conway Road, was at the surgery on September 13 when she noticed boxes of files in the public reception area.
Terriann told the Pioneer they had been left “unattended”, and that she “could have very easily opened them and read people's information”.
Due to being in a rush, Ms Griffith was unable to bring it to the attention of centre staff, but did contact Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West.
Mr Millar said the medical centre “acknowledge their error”, and assured him that the records had been securely sealed at the time.
He said: “I share the concerns of patients that private documents were left unattended in a public area.
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“I reported this incident immediately to the Medical Centre and they have acknowledged their error and recognised the risk of patient information being accessed inappropriately.
“I am advised that records are usually collected by the Health Courier service from the surgery every Wednesday and are usually kept behind reception for collection. On this occasion, due to the volumes being returned, boxes were placed in front of their staffed reception area.
“The surgery has reassured me that the records were still securely sealed when collected by the courier and has advised that all staff have been reminded of the importance of patient confidentiality and the need to ensure that records are secure at all times.
“The matter has now been referred to the Health Board’s Data Protection Officer for further investigation.”
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said the files were ready for collection, and were in full sight of the manned reception desk – with patient data not visible.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “Confidential files were stored, ready for collection, in full sight of the manned reception desk at West End Medical Centre, Colwyn Bay.
“No patient identifiable information was visible.
“All boxes remained sealed on collection and were received intact at their final destination.
“All staff are fully aware of their data protection obligations.”
Anyone who has concerns or comments, about any aspect of service at the West End Medical Centre, should contact the practice directly in the first instance at bcu.wemcsurgery@wales.nhs.uk.
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