Data loss disease spreads to NHS

Nine National Health Service (NHS) trusts have admitted to losing hundreds of thousands of patients' records.

Security breaches at hospitals around the country were uncovered following careful scrutiny of data protection methods across government departments.

Health minister Dawn Primarolo said that every effort was being made to recover the lost data.

But the Conservatives argued that such breaches bring into question whether the government's plans for a national database of NHS users should go ahead.

Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, added: "You have to wonder why on earth it took the Revenue & Customs to lose their discs and for the government to institute an inquiry across government for these losses of data to come to light.

"It does feel like there's a sense in all parts of government that we’re required to provide data and we are constantly told that it will be protected, but in reality that level of protection simply isn't there."

Increased scrutiny of data security have also recently encroached into the commercial sphere, with insurance firm Norwich Union being hit by a multi-million pound fine for its poor protection measures by the Financial Services Authority.