Hospital staff accessed records 40 times of boy thrown into crocodile pit

The hospital records of a three-year-old boy seriously injured after he was thrown into a crocodile pit at a zoo in Cambridge were accessed by 40 members of staff.

An investigation has been launched after the boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where up to 40 staff accessed his medical details.

The boy remains in a stable condition after he was thrown into the crocodile pit while visiting Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon with his family.

He reportedly suffered a broken arm and pelvis after falling into the enclosure, with hero staff members rescuing him.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of attempted murder.

Cambridge University Hospitals said they were exploring why so many people accessed the victim’s records, and has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

They said: ‘We have strict policies in place to safeguard patient data and we take any breach extremely seriously.

‘Where any member of staff is found to have accessed patient records without legitimate clinical or operational reasons we take robust disciplinary action, including dismissal.

‘As part of our response to any breach, we notify both the ICO and apologise to patients and their families affected.’

Meanwhile the suspect was found unfit for interview and bailed until September 18.

A source told The Sun that the suspect has hearing difficulties and has two carers who, according to a witness, were ‘on their phones’ when he allegedly attacked the child.

A mum who was at the zoo at the time said: ‘I don’t know if it was definitely him but I saw one bloke of a bigger build; he had two carers with him and they weren’t paying him much attention.

‘If it was him, his carers were maybe ten metres behind him and not paying much attention.

‘They were English and chatting among themselves and on their phones.’

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