SSM apologizes for mishandling of sensitive patient information

The director of the Health Bureau (SSM), Lei Chin Ion, apologized to all of the people affected by last week’s leak of sensitive documents that were found abandoned on the street, stating that six workers with an alleged involvement in the case have been transferred to other departments, where they will not have contact with confidential documents.
Lei reiterated that the case is still under investigation and that there are rules and standards within the SS regarding the handling of confidential documents that have been generally applied and respected, but admitted that there is always space for improvements to the procedures.
“This investigation will clarify the situation and whether there are problems in the management or supervision of the procedures,” the SSM head said, not ruling out the possibility of holding the management of the relevant departments accountable for the incident. However this is awaiting the ongoing investigation into the matter, which is expected to conclude within the month. Lei stressed that the inquiry would eventually ascertain whether there were any problems in the supervision by higher-level officials. SSM informed the media that they are following the instructions of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, and will present a report into the investigation within a period of 30 days, releasing the findings to the public.
As noted previously, at the core of the case is an alleged refusal to dispose of confidential documents as instructed, an action which resulted in a large amount of patients’ medical records being strewn along the Av. do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues. RM