ICO confirms investigation into loss of laptop with 8m+ medical records

The Information Commissioner’s Office is investigating the loss three weeks ago of an NHS laptop containing 8.6m medical records.

The Sun has reported that the loss was notified to police only last week.

According to the newspaper, the information on the computer was not encrypted and additionally held records of 18m hospital visits, operations and procedures but did not include names.

An ICO spokesperson said: “Any allegation that sensitive personal information has been compromised is concerning and we will now make enquiries to establish the full facts of this alleged data breach.”

It was reportedly one among 20 computers that went missing from NHS North Central London, eight of which have been recovered.