UK hospital probes leak of three-year-old crocodile attack victim’s medical records

A hospital in Cambridge, England, has opened an internal investigation after the medical details of a three-year-old boy injured in a crocodile attack were seen by about 40 staff members. The child, who was seriously hurt in the attack at a local petting zoo, is being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and is now in stable condition.

Cambridge University Hospitals said it is checking whether there was any legitimate reason for accessing the records and has reported the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office. The leak has triggered public concern over patient privacy.

Police were called to the petting zoo on June 18, where they found the injured child. A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later released on bail. The hospital said the boy’s family has been updated on the ongoing inquiry.

A hospital spokesperson said patient data protection rules are strict and any unauthorized access is treated seriously. “Any staff member found to have accessed patient records without a legitimate clinical or operational reason will face severe disciplinary action, including dismissal,” the hospital said.