NHS personnel who inappropriately viewed the medical records of a man who was mauled to death by a tiger deserve to be dismissed, according to Yvette Cooper. The Health Secretary described the breach—which follows previous reports that staff needlessly checked files relating to the Southport knife attack victims and those killed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in 2023—as an absolute disgrace.
On Friday, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed it was reviewing the conduct of two employees who improperly accessed information regarding William Chapman, who suffered fatal injuries in a tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park the previous Saturday. Speaking on Sky News, Cooper emphasized that she treats the matter with the utmost seriousness while the local inquiry is underway.
Cooper stressed that no healthcare worker should ever view records outside the scope of direct patient care for reasons related to voyeurism, media curiosity, or any other unauthorized purpose. She noted that she has discussed the issue with the NHS chief executive, and both agree that suspected staff should be suspended pending investigation, accompanied by a much swifter disciplinary response to uphold fundamental privacy standards.
When asked directly if those responsible should lose their jobs, Cooper affirmed that dismissals are necessary in the event of proven breaches. Her remarks arrive as separate data revealed that 15 NHS employees have been fired for unlawfully accessing medical files connected to the 2023 Nottingham attacks carried out by Calocane.
That investigation, conducted by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust, also resulted in 15 final written warnings and two first written warnings across various roles including doctors, nurses, and other registered professionals, with families informed of the developments. Additionally, an NHS trust in Liverpool acknowledged earlier this year that nearly 50 employees improperly viewed files concerning victims of the Southport knife attacks, drawing strong condemnation from legal representatives for the affected families regarding the abuse of trust and privacy.