The London Clinic, where Catherine, Princess of Wales, recently had abdominal surgery, has declared its commitment to investigate any violations of patient confidentiality.
This statement comes amid allegations that hospital staff attempted to access her private medical records. The clinic, known for treating royal family members, emphasized its zero tolerance policy for any breach of trust towards patients and colleagues.
The Information Commissioners’ Office (ICO) confirmed it is looking into a reported breach at the clinic. Al Russell, the clinic’s CEO, assured that the hospital takes patient privacy seriously, with all staff members fully aware of their obligations concerning patient confidentiality. He highlighted the clinic’s pride in providing discreet and exceptional care to all patients, mentioning that systems are in place to oversee the handling of patient information and that any breach would lead to thorough investigation and necessary actions.
The Daily Mirror disclosed that an internal probe had been initiated after reports surfaced of staff members attempting to access Catherine’s medical details. While Russell did not directly address these allegations, the clinic’s reputation for serving high-profile individuals, including the princess and King Charles III, underscores the sensitivity of the issue.
Downing Street responded to the incident by reiterating the importance of adhering to strict patient data regulations, expressing support for Catherine and Prince William and wishing her a swift recovery.
Catherine underwent surgery in January and has been on a break from public engagements to recuperate, planning to return after Easter. Her absence has spurred online speculation and conspiracy theories, further fueled by an edited photo shared on the official X account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, for which the princess later expressed regret for any confusion caused by her photo editing experiments.
