Ten NHS employees have been removed from work or suspended after an investigation showed unauthorised access to the medical records of 3 year old Noah Woods, who died after going missing in Suffolk in September.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that an urgent internal investigation had been launched following concerns that staff had accessed the toddler’s confidential information without a medical reason. The trust has apologised to Noah’s family, recognising the distress caused this devastating period.

Dr Martin Mansfield, the deputy chief medical officer of the trust, described the unauthorised access of patient information as “completely unacceptable”. He confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which has begun looking into the matter.

Noah Woods | Source: Instagram

Noah disappeared on 15 September after becoming separated from a relative near a playground in Brantham. A search involving emergency services and members of the public continued into the following day, when police divers discovered his body in a nearby pond.

More than 1,300 people reportedly contributed to the search effort. His death is not being treated as suspicious by Suffolk Constabulary. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy have since raised wider concerns about the protection of sensitive medical information, particularly when cases attract public attention.

The public searching for Noah | Source: BBC

The NHS is taking further action against staff who access patient records without permission. Sir Jim Mackey, head of NHS England, has warned that staff who look at records without a valid reason could lose their jobs or face criminal charges. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating the breach and has raised concerns about similar cases involving patient records.

Noah’s family wants him to be remembered as the happy, playful boy he was. They described him as a cheerful child who loved to laugh and brought joy to those around him. His mother also encouraged other parents to cherish every moment with their children.

An inquest into Noah’s death was opened in Ipswich on 25 September and later adjourned. The hearing was told that Noah had left the playground through a gap in the fence.

The inquest is separate from the investigation into the data breach. The NHS trust and the ICO are still investigating how the records were accessed and whether further steps are needed to protect patient information. The case has raised concerns about patient privacy and the responsibility NHS staff have to keep medical records confidential.

Noah Woods | Source: BBC