LAST UPDATE | 20 Mar
THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL that treated Kate Middleton has promised that all appropriate disciplinary steps, including internal investigations, will be taken after claims its staff tried to access her private medical records.
The Mirror has reported that at least one member of staff at The London Clinic tried to access Middleton’s notes while she was a patient at the facility in central London in January.
The UK’s Princess of Wales was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January for nearly two weeks.
Chief Executive of the hospital Al Russell has said there is “no place” at the facility for those who “intentionally breach the trust of our patients or colleagues.”
Details of her condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished for her personal medical information to remain private.
The UK privacy and data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) confirmed it has received a breach report and is investigating the matter.
An ICO spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”
Kensington Palace said: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”
Russell said in a statement that all staff at the London Clinic is “acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties” with regards to patient confidentiality and take “enormous pride” in the care and discretion it aims to deliver to them.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken,” Russell said.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
Kate Middleton’s absence from public life, after her surgery, has led to intense theorising, some of it wading into conspiracies, on social media about her whereabouts and health.
Footage emerged of the 42-year-old out shopping with the Prince of Wales at the weekend at the Windsor Farm Shop close to their Adelaide cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Nelson Silva, 40, who filmed them shopping, told The Sun he believes the conspiracy theorists are “delusional”.
He said: “I’m not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I’m just confused how exactly they can continue.
“This is a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.”
The royal couple also spent Sunday morning watching their children George, Charlotte and Louis taking part in a sporting event, according to The Sun.
The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother’s Day photograph, which led a statement attributed to Kate in which she admitted to “editing” the image and apologising for any “confusion” caused.
It was reported at the weekend that Kate may speak about her health during public engagements, which are not expected to resume until after Easter.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say