THE personal medical records of tens of thousands of people were lost by the NHS, Department of Health officials confirmed yesterday.
A total of 140 security breaches were reported within the NHS between January and April this year.
These included computers containing medical records left by skips and subsequently stolen and passwords taped on encrypted discs with sensitive information, according to The Independent newspaper.
Over the last six months, the Information Commissioner has been forced to take action against 14 NHS bodies for breaching data regulations.
In an interview with the newspaper, Commissioner Richard Thomas said the watchdog had ordered an urgent review of arrangements for data security in the National Health Service.
