News, Nottingham
More than 90 members of hospital staff accessed the records of Nottingham attacks victims following their deaths, the has learned.
Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane in June 2023.
Details of the potential data breach at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust – first reported by the Daily Mirror – were shared with the by a victim’s family member and showed 91 staff members viewed the information.
While a number of staff had legitimate reasons to look at the victims’ records, the trust confirmed earlier this month it was investigating concerns some might have “inappropriately accessed” them.
The trust added it would “not hesitate to take action as necessary”.
Families of the victims previously said in a statement the potential breach was “gross and inexcusable voyeurism at the most repugnant level”.
Emma Webber, Barnaby’s mother, told the on Monday it was “another failure on the epic list of failures we’ve encountered”.
Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, received a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder.
In December, an investigation opened into allegations Ministry of Justice (MoJ) staff illegally accessed computer files related to the Nottingham attacks.
A special constable with Nottinghamshire Police was previously sacked for viewing bodycam footage showing the aftermath of the attacks.
Mrs Webber added: “How can we be sure that the images and information – which should never be accessed by anyone other than those who absolutely essentially had to – how can we be sure that isn’t somewhere in the public domain or other, even worse things are potentially going to come out?”
Dr Manjeet Shehmar, medical director at NUH, said: “We are currently investigating concerns that members of staff may have inappropriately accessed the medical records of Ian Coates, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber.
“We have informed the families and will continue to keep them updated throughout the investigation.
“The families of Ian, Grace and Barnaby have already had to endure much pain and heartache and I’m truly sorry that this will add further to their suffering.
“Through our investigation, we will find out what happened and will not hesitate to take action as necessary.”
