Investigation into claims NHS staff accessed medical records of schoolgirl who died on camping trip

A health board is investigating an "alleged data breach" following claims staff accessed the medical records of Minnie Merriman.

The nine-year-old from West Yorkshire was found seriously injured just after midnight on Monday at the Elliot industrial estate in Arbroath, Scotland, while her family were camping in the area.

She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, which is managed by NHS Tayside, where she later died.

Christopher Rice, 35, of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, was later charged with her murder.

Police Scotland previously confirmed the pair were "known" to each other.

A spokesperson for the health board said: "NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach, which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information.

"As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner's Office.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters."

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During a hearing at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Rice did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody.

Minnie's family had earlier paid tribute to her in a statement released through Police Scotland.

They said: "We are devastated with the loss of our beloved, absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo.

"Our family asks that our privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time."

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