A MAN has been charged in connection with alleged stalking offences following a data breach at Crosshouse Hospital.

Last month our sister title, the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, exclusively revealed that a number of women had been contacted following breaches of personal information at Crosshouse Hospital.

And police confirmed that a 31-year-old had been arrested and charged following an investigation.

Those affected by the alleged breach, believed to be mainly women, were notified that information, including their phone numbers and addresses, had been accessed and that the member of staff who breached their privacy had ‘no legitimate clinical or administrative requirement’.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with stalking and data protection offences. He was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Dr Alison Graham, Medical Director, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran has been made aware of a member of staff inappropriately accessing patient records. This individual is currently excluded from work.

“We are currently investigating and are contacting a number of patients to ascertain the extent of this breach. We wish to apologise to anyone affected by this. We take patient confidentially extremely serious and will ensure a full investigation is conducted.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland and the Information Commissioner’s Office. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to confirm any further details.”