The personal medical records of 4,000 NHS patients have been lost by Stockport Primary Care Trust, but health managers have chosen not to inform the individuals involved. The incident has only come to light under conditions set by the Freedom of Information act in the UK.
The records were on a USB stick clipped round the neck of an NHS employee before they were lost. They contained the names, dates of birth and details of medical conditions of patients of Stockport Primary Care Trust, as well as their NHS and trust numbers and details of their GPs.
Stockport PCT chief executive Richard Popplewell said steps were taken to search for the device by retracing the path of the staff member. But it has not been found.
