Cambridge University Hospitals sets up helpline for patients following data breach

News - 7 December 2023

Cambridge University Hospital (CUH) has issued an apology to its patients following two data breaches resulting from Freedom of Information responses made in 2020 and 2021, one relating to maternity patients, and one relating to cancer patients. In total, 22,446 patients have been affected.

In both cases, the data that was inadvertently shared within an excel spreadsheet included names and some medical information. It did NOT include addresses, dates of birth, NHS numbers, nor NI numbers.

The data has now been taken down, and CUH has worked with the national cyber security team to search the internet and no trace of any of the data has been found. Therefore, CUH believes that the data has not been accessed or shared, and that any risk to patients is minimal.

CUH have set up a dedicated freephone helpline 0808 175 6331 so that any patients who are concerned their data is involved can contact them. Patients can also email cuh.datahelpline@nhs.net and CUH will respond as quickly as possible.

More information can be found at https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/news/datastatement-6-december-2023/

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