HSE documents being altered to trace leaks

The Health Service Executive has begun planting altered documentation in an effort to trace leaks from the organisation. Key documents which are due for circulation internally are individualised through small changes to the words or punctuation, The Irish Times has learned.

These alternations are then used to track down the source of leaks where they occur.

A spokeswoman would confirm only that the HSE had put in place “robust document security measures” to guard against leaks but did not provide details.

The use of “planted documentation” is revealed in a memo circulated within HSE West which also commits staff to signing confidentiality clauses when they attend meetings at which confidential data is discussed. Sent last month by Catherine Cunningham, area manager for primary, continuing and community care, to local managers, it complains about the recent leaking of “numerous confidential reports and information”.

Data protection

Ms Cunningham tells her colleagues she will be undertaking a number of initiatives including “planted documentation in a bid to trace these leaks” as well as reviewing all aspects of data protection and confidentiality.

She says confidential data should only be issued to limited staff numbers and staff must not divulge information to people who have not been cleared to receive it. Confidential data must be moved to secure folders.

The memo was written before the recent leaking of the HSE report into the death of Savita Halappanavar but following local controversy over the proposed closure of Toghermore House, a mental health facility in Tuam.

The HSE planned to close the 18-bed home over fire safety concerns and move the residents, but this has been deferred following a local outcry and the intervention of Minister of State Kathleen Lynch.

The plan was also opposed by local staff, including consultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Hennelly who, in an internal email, describes the distress caused to residents as “nothing short of psychological abuse of the most vulnerable”.

‘Duty bound’

Dr Hennelly, in the message to the head of HSE West John Hennessy, says she is “duty bound” to advocate for high-dependency residents who have profound communication problems.

She has received advice from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association that she had an obligation to advocate on behalf of patients under her contract and under the Medical Council’s code of ethics.

Galway East TD Colm Keaveney praised Dr Hennelly for speaking out in defence of patients in her care. However, Ms Cunningham has complained to Mr Hennessy about Dr Hennelly’s letter and urged him to invoke an investigation under the HSE’s dignity-at-work procedure, which deals with bullying.

The HSE spokeswoman said arrangements for a mental health services review in east Galway were being finalised.