THE loss of medical information relating to as many as 50 patients has sparked fears about the security of people's private records.

Personal details belonging to between 11 and 50 patients of the trust which were kept on a notepad were stolen along with a laptop belonging to a Poole-based employee of Dorset HealthCare Trust.

The theft, which took place in February, was made public at the meeting of the trust's board last week and has been reported to the Information Commissioner's Office.

The trust said that the laptop had been "fully encrypted" but that the device and notebook had still not been recovered.

Mark Gracey, owner of Dorset data security firm Flavourfy, said that data on the laptop could still be at risk despite the encryption.

He said: "The trust would need to be able to demonstrate appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place.

"Of course, the fact the laptop is encrypted helps with this, but it is relative - as the whole device was stolen, there are still questions around access to the device and the data and how good passwords are and also what kind of encryption is in place."

It is the second reported incident of patient details being lost by employees of the trust in the 2017/18 year.

In the first, a bag containing a laptop and paper files with patient details were left in a car park by a member of staff before being returned after being found by a contractor.

Alan Calder, the founder and executive chairman of data protection company, said: "It is incredible that someone, whose job is healthcare, would be so cavalier with the personal data of those for whom she is caring.”

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, a member of Bournemouth Council's Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel, said that it was "worrying" that two similar incidents have now been reported in a short period of time.

"I know that these trusts take a lot of care with this sort of thing but it is obviously very worrying that this has now happened for a second time.

"Personal data like this shouldn't be allowed to go missing and it is quite concerning that it still hasn't been recovered."

A spokesman for the trust said: “Protecting information about patients is extremely important and we make every effort to keep information safe and secure.

“In this instance, a laptop and notebook were stolen from the car of a Poole-based staff member on February 23.

“The laptop was fully encrypted, but the paper notebook did contain medical information relating to between 11 and 50 patients.

“However, this was not high-risk, confidential information and is unlikely to identify individuals or put them at risk in any way.

“We reported the theft to the police immediately, and subsequently alerted the national Information Commissioner’s Office.

“Dorset HealthCare has strict guidelines around information governance.

“We have reminded all staff about the importance of securely transporting bags, and to avoid carrying paper documents which contain patient identifiable information wherever possible.”