56 Dean Street HIV clinic data leak: Man named in error fears ‘malicious people’

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Benedict Moore-Bridger3 September 2015

A man identified by the 56 Dean Street HIV clinic blunder told today how he fears now having to tell friends and family he has the disease.

Nearly 800 patients of the Soho clinic had their details leaked when a member of staff accidentally sent out names and email addresses in an online newsletter.

James, from London — who did not want to reveal his full name — said he felt scared his details would end up being shared online and “people who are malicious and can’t see through the stigma will do bad things with it”.

He told BBC News: “I am not ready to disclose my HIV status to my wider friends or family. I fear now that I have no choice. I couldn’t believe it when I got [the email] and I’ve been full of worry since.”

Patients were supposed to be blind-copied into the newsletter, but instead details were sent as a group email to other people who have attended HIV clinics at 56 Dean Street. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which runs the clinic, said it was too early to say if any action would be taken against the member of staff.

The Information Commissioner’s Office said it was making enquiries. Fines for breaches of data protection can reach £500,000.

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