18 Jan 2015

No calls to DHB counselling line

12:30 pm on 18 January 2015

The Rotorua-based Lakes District Health Board says no women have called its dedicated helpline number since a major privacy breach.

The board plans to review how data about 625 women who had had abortions was released to a journalist by a junior staff member.

While no names were released, the data released included unique National Health Index numbers, birth dates and ethnicity details.

The DHB has set up a helpline for women who have had abortions between 2011 and 2013, to offer counselling.

Chief executive Ron Dunham said so far no one appears to have phoned, and women may not be aware of the line.

The helpline number is 0800 525 371.

Mr Dunham said he would meet the Health Ministry's IT chief tomorrow to see what more could be done to prevent another breach.

Meanwhile, Waitemata District Health Board has said patient notes discovered on an Auckland motorway have now been returned intact.

In the second privacy breach in health in as many days, the board said the notes of four deceased patients were left on the top of a staff member's car.

It said the notes blew off the car as it left North Shore Hospital, and were found on the Northern motorway and returned four hours later.

The DHB said it was an isolated incident of human error and it was contacting the families to apologise.