An island health board has admitted destroying hundreds of mental health patient notes by mistake.
NHS Orkney said 373 sets of notes which had been packaged up to be scanned into the board’s digital system had been shredded.
The incident happened within the last month – and a subsequent investigation found that it was the result of “human error”.
All of the patients affected have now been contacted and the health board has offered assurance that there has been no breach of patient confidentiality.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said the incident was “highly regrettable” – and urged NHS Orkney to take steps to prevent it happening again.
NHS Orkney Cathie Cowan has written to everyone affected – and yesterday issued a public apology on behalf of the health board.
She said: “These records had been packaged up to be scanned as part of our digital medical records project. There has been no breach in patient confidentiality and notes at all times have been appropriately stored and secured.
“I can assure people that their hospital medical notes and GP notes are not affected, the notes concerned relate primarily to community mental health nursing and psychology notes many of which will be summarised in patients’ medical notes.
“We have a log of those notes shredded and we have informed the individuals affected.”
The health board is now working to compile new notes based on clinical information held electronically, with the support of staff working in primary care.
A dedicated helpline has been set up for those affected, which is detailed in the letter sent to affected patients.
Mrs Cowan added: “I am giving this matter my personal attention and would wish to apologise to those patients involved for any distress caused.”
MSP Mr McArthur said: “The accidental destruction of these records is highly regrettable and will have caused understandable anxiety for patients affected as well as the wider public.
“I spoke with NHS Orkney chief executive, Cathie Cowan this morning and received assurances that everyone affected by this loss of information has now been written to with an invitation to contact NHS Orkney if necessary.
“I would encourage anyone affected who has any concerns or questions to take up this invitation.
“In the meantime, I have urged NHS Orkney to take any steps necessary to minimise the chances of such an unfortunate incident arising again in the future”.