The HSE has launched a security review after an intruder entered the old St Conal’s psychiatric hospital in Letterkenny and shared footage of boxes of patient records.
A TikTok has revealed boxes upon boxes of files discarded inside the vacant building on the St. Conal’s campus.
In the video, a person is seen looking through X-rays and confidential patient reports detailing injuries and treatments. Many of the records date back to the 80s and 90s.
The names of medical staff at Letterkenny University Hospital can be clearly seen on the patient files in the video.
The person who recorded the footage has a TikTok account based on explorations of abandoned locations. They allege that the front door of the building was unlocked.
The HSE said the files were illegally accessed and that the data breach has been reported to the Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with legislation.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware that historical patient files which date back several decades and which were stored in a locked facility in a HSE building were illegally accessed. Gardai have been alerted to this incident.”
HSE management reviewed the security of the building yesterday and extra security measures were fitted.
The HSE confirmed that it is also reviewing the requirement to continue to store historical records in line with HSE policy on record retention periods. This review will be completed “as soon as possible”.
Footage from the TikTok video shared this week shows the interior of the Old St. Conal’s Psychiatric Hospital