British authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that a staff member at the London Clinic attempted to gain access to the medical records of Kate, the Princess of Wales while she was undergoing abdominal surgery, NBC News reported.
The 42-year-old wife of Britain’s future King was hospitalized in January for unspecified abdominal surgery.
After weeks of silence that led to widespread speculation over her health, the Princess of Wales revealed on March 22 that the doctors at the London Clinic had found cancer during her visit and that she was currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Just days earlier, the UK Mirror reported that the London Clinic was investigating a claim that at least one clinic staffer attempted to access Kate’s medical records when she was hospitalized in January.
In a March 20 statement, the Information Commissioner’s Office confirmed that it received a reported breach and was “assessing the information provided.”
Al Russell, the London Clinic’s chief executive said in a separate statement that the clinic was “acutely aware” of its ethical, legal, and professional duties to patient confidentiality.
Russell said the clinic has “systems in place” to monitor how patient information is managed and if there was a breach, the clinic would take the necessary “investigatory, regulatory, and disciplinary steps.”
UK Health Minister Maria Caulfield described the allegations as “pretty severe” and said from a “health perspective” it would not be acceptable to look at patient notes. Caulfield said the breach had been “spotted” and action was taken.
In her video announcement, Kate said she was “getting stronger every day” and asked for “time, space, and privacy” as she underwent treatment.
The news of Kate’s cancer comes less than two months after Buckingham Palace confirmed that His Majesty King Charles III was being treated for cancer.
The King was also admitted to the London Clinic around the same time as his daughter-in-law to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate.
According to Buckingham Palace, diagnostic tests conducted during his stay detected a form of cancer.
