laptop stolen from Manchester England hospital

[Henry Brown <hbrown () knology net>]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1060793_laptop_with_1500_patients_details_stolen

Laptop with 1,500 patients' details stolen
Brian Lashley
1/ 8/2008

A LAPTOP containing confidential patient data has been stolen from a 
hospital by a burglar who climbed through an unlocked window.

The computer holds personal information about 1,581 patients attending a 
clinic at Stepping Hill Hospital, Hazel Grove, Stockport.

Hospital chiefs said the data is protected by a complex password system, 
which would be difficult to crack.

Security at the hospital has since been reviewed and stepped up.

The laptop was stolen along with a projector and personal items from a 
desk drawer during the burglary at an office block on the hospital site.

The hospital's CCTV cameras are thought to have captured images of the 
burglar, who it is believed was acting alone.

[...]

"It has reported the theft to Greater Manchester Police who are 
investigating.

"Amongst the items stolen was a laptop computer used for scheduling 
appointments, which held some patient information.

"This information was held on a secure system with three levels of 
password protection. The Trust believes it is unlikely that anyone would 
be able to access this data.

"Despite this low level of risk the Trust has written to 1,581 patients, 
who attended the clinic, to inform them of the incident.


[...]

Anyone with information about the theft of the laptop from Stepping Hill 
between July 12 and 13 should contact police

[...]

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