An NHS health board is investigating claims that staff allegedly inappropriately accessed the medical records of a schoolgirl whose dad has been charged with her murder.
Nine-year-old Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, was found seriously injured on the Elliot industrial estate in Arbroath, 17 miles north of Dundee, shortly after midnight on Monday morning.
She was taken to Ninewells Hospital where she died.
Her father, Christopher Rice, has since been charged with murder.
He was committed for further examination and remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
The hospital, managed by NHS Tayside, is now investigating claims staff accessed Minnie’s medical records without clinical need or permission.
The alleged data breach could be reported and escalated to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
A spokesperson for the health board said: “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach, which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information.
“As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters.”
On Thursday, Minnie’s school paid tribute to the ‘kind and caring’ schoolgirl.
Kelly Ashton, Headteacher at Hendal Primary School in Kettlethorpe, said: “We are heartbroken by the death of Minnie.
“Minnie was a kind and thoughtful girl who was loved by all of her friends.
She added: “She has belonged to our school community for four years and will be remembered as a caring and creative girl who was always seen with a big smile on her face. She will be deeply missed by us all.”
It is believed Minnie had been camping in the area with family members when she was found injured, with Police Scotland saying they were not looking for anyone else in connection.
Minnie’s family had earlier paid tribute to her in a statement released through Police Scotland.
They said: “We are devastated with the loss of our beloved, absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo.
“Our family asks that our privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
