Full Breakdown
NHS Trust Dismisses Staff Over Unauthorized Access to Nottingham Attack Victims' Records
5/22/2026, 3:39:01 AM
Dismissals Over Unauthorized Access
On 22 May 2026, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust dismissed eleven staff and warned fourteen after a review found they accessed victims’ records of June 2023 stabbing without justification. Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates were killed; Valdo Calocane received a hospital order in 2024.
Scale of Access and Disciplinary Action
150 staff viewed victims’ files; NUH says 48 accesses were legitimate, families reject. Eleven dismissed; fourteen warned. ICO notified, will assess breaches; Nottinghamshire Police report no criminal probe.
Responses
NUH apologized, calling unauthorized access “totally unacceptable” and pledging “appropriate action”. The GMC said conduct breaches guidance and may trigger referrals. The Department of Health and Social Care called behaviour unacceptable and praised trust’s action.
Criticism
Emma Webber called scale “shocking” and said trust’s claim of 48 legitimate accesses is too high. Nadia Whittome called breaches “cruel, selfish actions”. James Coates warned findings “tip of the iceberg”.
Conflicts
NUH says 48 accesses were legitimate; families say number is inflated. Guardian reports 14 written warnings, BBC 12 final and 2 first. No criminal investigation is pending.
Next Steps
The inquiry will hear evidence from NUH’s medical director later this month. ICO’s review and referrals to the GMC and Nursing and Midwifery Council are pending. Probes into data breaches at Ministry of Justice, courts, probation and Nottinghamshire Police continue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To access the medical records of our patients without a legitimate reason is totally unacceptable and we are doing all we can to identify where and how that has happened.” — Dr Manjeet Shehmar, Medical Director, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- “Morbid curiosity and inappropriate voyeurism have become a huge issue, not just with the NHS, but with the Nottinghamshire Police force.” — James Coates, son of Ian Coates
