- Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has launched an investigation after the medical records of Oliver McGowan , an 18-year-old autistic teenager who died in 2016, were accessed hundreds of times years after his death.
- An audit requested by Oliver's parents revealed 653 instances of his records being viewed or printed, with dozens of current and former NHS staff members identified in the logs.
- A doctor no longer employed by the trust accessed the records without a legitimate reason in March and self-referred to the General Medical Council , while four current employees remain under investigation.
- Oliver's mother, Paula McGowan, condemned the unauthorised access as a horrific violation of her late son's privacy and dignity.
- The trust has apologised to Oliver's family for the distress caused and made a precautionary referral to the Information Commissioner's Office as enquiries continue.
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