Princess Kate ‘reassuring’ Mother’s Day image ‘done completely opposite’, says royal biographer
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A probe has been launched into whether staff at a private clinic unlawfully accessed the Princess of Wales’ medical records in an alleged data breach.
At least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the London Clinic in central London in January, according to The Mirror. The mother of three was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.
Hospital staff could be charged with a criminal offence by the data protection watchdog and face an unlimited fine if they are found to have unlawfully accessed her records.
The hospital’s chief executive promised a thorough investigation into the reports.
As theories over Kate’s whereabouts show no sign of slowing, a BBC journalist agreed with growing speculation that the woman videoed shopping with Prince William at the Windsor Farm Shop was not the Princess of Wales.
Sports presenter Sonja McLaughlan, whose tweets are protected and not visible to non-followers, wrote: “It’s so obviously not Kate,” according to The Telegraph.
Key points
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Surgery a week after birthday
Kate was admitted to hospital a week after her 42nd birthday:
Jane Dalton20 March 2024 17:30
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Recap: Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery
Jane Dalton20 March 2024 16:45
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Police asked to investigate, minister says
Police have been asked to look into the alleged attempt to look at the princess’s records, health minister Maria Caulfield said.
“Whether they take action is a matter for them,” she told LBC radio.
“But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions,” she added.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Independent the force was not aware of any referral.
Jane Dalton20 March 2024 16:01
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Kate Middleton conspiracy theorists are ‘delusional’, says farm shop customer who filmed royals
Nelson Silva, 40, said he saw a “relaxed” princess with his “own eyes” as she shopped with William in the meat section of the upmarket grocery on the Windsor Park estate on Saturday.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 15:15
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Health regulators stress the importance of patient information confidentiality
Health regulators stressed the importance of the confidentiality of patient information amid allegations of a medical record breach at The London Clinic when the Princess of Wales was a patient.
A spokesperson for the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, said: “Patients must have confidence that their personal information is protected at all times.
“Our guidance is clear: we expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient’s personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.
“We have a duty to consider whether any concerns raised with us about a doctor’s fitness to practise meet the threshold for investigation.
“We will take appropriate action where those concerns pose a risk to patients or public confidence in the profession.”
Lesley Maslen, executive director of professional regulation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: “Our code is clear that all nurses, midwives and nursing associates must respect people’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
“This includes taking all steps to make sure that people’s records are kept securely and information about them is shared appropriately.
“Whenever concerns are raised with us about professionals on our register, we consider whether we may need to take action to protect the public and to maintain trust in our professions.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 14:50
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The uncomfortable truth about Kate and William that nobody wants to admit
With the memory of their mother still casting a long shadow, both Harry and William are determined to do things their own way.
But, asks Tessa Dunlop, after a week of turmoil and many questions left unanswered, does this spell trouble in a world where there are now more palaces than major royal players?
TMZ, the USA’s behemoth showbiz site, insisted the palace has “got caught in a lie … confidence is shot”. Time magazine ran a similar editorial: “The royal family has a trust problem.” Both have a point, but Kensington Palace doesn’t see it like that. And nor do Britain’s supposedly attack-dog tabloids.
The uncomfortable truth about Kate and William nobody wants to admit
With the memory of their mother still casting a long shadow, both Harry and William are determined to do things their own way. But, asks Tessa Dunlop, after a week of turmoil and many questions left unanswered, does this spell trouble in a world where there are now more palaces than major royal players?
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 14:46
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Hospital in alleged Kate data breach says all disciplinary steps will be taken
The hospital at the centre of claims staff attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records has vowed “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken”.
Chief executive of the London Clinic, Al Russell, said: “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
The UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is looking into the alleged royal data breach at the private hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery and is in the process of assessing the information.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 14:30
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No 10 weighs in: People should ‘get behind the Princess of Wales’
Downing Street said people should “get behind the Princess of Wales”.
Asked about the alleged breaches at the London Clinic following Kate’s treatment, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Clearly there are strict rules on patient data that must be followed.”
Asked whether people should give Kate a break, the spokesman said: “I think we all want to get behind the Princess of Wales, and indeed the Prince of Wales, and we obviously wish her the speediest of recoveries.”
(AP)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 14:05
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London Clinic chief executive responds to medical record breach allegations
The chief executive of the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated earlier this year, has said “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken” when looking at alleged data breaches.
Responding to allegations that at least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the hospital in January, Al Russell said: “Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 13:22
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BBC journalist says farm shop video is hoax
A BBC journalist has weighed in on the growing speculation that the woman videoed shopping with Prince William is not the Princess of Wales.
Sports presenter Sonja McLaughlan commented on a video that compares the woman in the latest footage with pictures of Kate.
In a post on X seen byThe Telegraph, Ms McLaughlan wrote: “It’s so obviously not Kate.
“Some newspapers are reporting it as fact. But it’s not her. No conspiracy theorist but all very odd.”
The footage in question was published by The Sun and appears to show the princess smiling as she walked alongside her husband outside Windsor Farm Shop, which is a short drive from their home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain20 March 2024 13:18
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/kate-middleton-health-farm-shop-photo-william-latest-b2515541.html
