The key facts
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service identified two possible cases of staff accessing data about Chapman's case without lawful grounds
- An investigation has begun and the information was passed to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- The coroner said Chapman died from multiple injuries; he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia
Possible medical data breach
The medical records of William Chapman, the 24-year-old man killed in a tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday, may have been viewed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff 'without a legitimate reason'. According to the trust's press office, after Chapman's death two possible incidents were identified in which staff 'accessed or attempted to access' information about the case. The trust has launched an investigation 'to establish all the circumstances of these potential breaches' and reported the situation to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Chapman's family has been informed of the possible breach; the trust expressed condolences to the relatives.
Ambulance service statement
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: 'We believe there may have been two instances where two members of staff accessed or attempted to access information about the incident/medical information following this incident without a legitimate reason.' According to the spokesperson, the trust 'takes the confidentiality and security of patient data extremely seriously', has robust protection systems in place, and the breach was identified through proactive audits. The trust pledged to keep the family informed as the investigation proceeds.
Circumstances of the death at the coroner's hearing
At a hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday it was reported that Chapman died from 'multiple traumatic injuries and interaction with an animal'. According to the inquest, he arrived at the park at around 13:30 BST on Saturday, climbed over two fences and entered the tiger enclosure. After the attack, park staff isolated the tiger, paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced Chapman dead at the scene. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said Chapman had a history of mental health problems, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had previously experienced episodes of psychosis. He was under the care of Doncaster's adult mental health service but was 'high-functioning and independent, with no need for care'. Chapman, a self-employed online trader, was born in Chichester (West Sussex) and lived in Doncaster. The park has reopened to visitors.
Image source, Supplied
William Chapman, 24, was mauled to death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday.
Image source, Ella Ford
An eyewitness took a photograph of the tiger at the wildlife park shortly before the incident
Image source, Phil Bodmer/BBC
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has reopened to visitors
