Ie: Fax leak of patient details 'not an isolated incident'

While there was widespread concern at news last week that confidential patient details had mistakenly been sent from Sligo General Hospital to a private fax in Donegal, it has since emerged that this was not an isolated incident.

According to the Sligo Weekender, the newspaper has also received faxes with patient details from the hospital, twice in the last five years.

Last week, the Health Service Executive (HSE) acknowledged that hospital staff mistakenly sent referral letters, intended for a public health nurse, to a private fax number in Donegal two years ago. The letters contained confidential, sensitive information. The HSE said the mistake was made because an incorrect dialling code was entered.

Read more in the Donegal Democrat.