Health data on lost memory stick
Updated on 09 January 2009
A health worker lost a memory stick containing patient information which had the password attached, an NHS Trust said.
Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust said personal details of more than 6,000 prisoners were carried on the USB stick.
It was being used to back up clinical databases at HMP Preston and was lost on December 30.
The data was encrypted but the password had been written on a note and was attached when the stick was misplaced.
A spokesman for the trust apologised for the data loss: "We are taking this very seriously, and we would like to apologise unreservedly for any concern this incident has caused. It should never have happened," he said.
The member of staff has been suspended while the investigation is carried out, the PCT said.
The stick carried data relating to 6,360 prisoners who have been treated by local health workers since 2000.
It includes details of some prisoners' ailments, such as diabetes, asthma, mental health and sexual health, but not full medical history.
The documents saved on it also include prisoner surnames, their age range, cell location, prison number and clinic appointment times.
All memory sticks being used by health staff in the area have been withdrawn and a review of data protection practices is under way
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