Factual. Independent. Impartial.
Support AAP with a free or paid subscription
Health
Lloyd Jones

Hospital data breach pauses overseas doctor training

A doctor shared confidential details on social media about pregnant woman at Royal Darwin Hospital. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

A training program for overseas doctors has been suspended over a privacy breach in which pregnant patients' details were shared on social media.

At least 12 pregnant women had their confidential medical information shared with 28,000 followers on social media by a visiting medical observer at Royal Darwin Hospital in October.

Photos and videos posted by overseas-trained doctor Neda Mogharehabed featured patient names, ID numbers, medical conditions and other sensitive information.

The international medical observer program is for trainee doctors from overseas.

NT Health Minister Steve Edgington (file image)
Steve Edgington says it was unacceptable breach of trust that should never have happened. ((A)manda Parkinson/AAP PHOTOS)

Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington has apologised to all affected patients.

"I have suspended the program while the investigation is under way and to ensure stronger safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again," he said on Wednesday

The matter had been referred to the public information commissioner and police commissioner to determine if any criminal offences occurred, the minister said in a statement.

"I again want to apologise to all patients affected by this completely unacceptable breach of trust that should never have happened."

NT Health said the content had been removed from Dr Mogharehabed's account and she was no longer linked with the department.

Placement agreements would be strengthened, requiring all participants to sign non-disclosure agreements and legally binding confidentiality agreements, Mr Edgington said.

Induction processes would also be tightened to ensure participants clearly understood their privacy obligations, with appropriate support to address language barriers.

"This incident involved the actions of one individual, not the broader NT Health workforce, but we will not take that trust for granted," he said.

In a statement to the ABC, Dr Mogharehabed said she "cannot confirm how these images were posted" and she took patient privacy seriously.

License this article

Sign up to read this article for free
Choose between a free or paid subscription to AAP News
Start reading
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on AAP right now