SENSITIVE details of a man’s mental health problems, including his suicide attempts and self-harm, have been sent out to a stranger by mistake.

The father-of-one from Lower Parkstone, Poole told of his shock when he opened the letter, which has his correct name, address and date of birth, but is filled with someone else’s information.

In order to protect the identity of the intended recipient – which is very similar – the Echo is unable to name the man who received it in error.

The letter is from a consultant psychiatrist at Alderney Hospital and is on Dorset Healthcare Trust-headed paper.

It includes family history, details of his depression and emotional state, the frequency with which he suffers nightmares, and even information about a suicide attempt and a history of selfharm.

The 36-year-old who received it said he was deeply concerned by the information it contained.

He told the Echo: “It’s very, very detailed – it’s appalling really – I thought I shouldn’t be reading this. I’ve pretty much got his whole life in this one letter.”

The letter also includes a recommendation for new medication.

The father-of-one said he had undergone occupational therapy at Poole Hospital – which ended months ago – but had no idea why he’d received the letter.

“I’ve said a lot of personal things to my doctor which I wouldn’t want people knowing,”

he added. “You’d think they’d have a system in place to stop this from happening.”

Dr Cressida Manning, from Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are obviously distressed that this letter was inadvertently sent to the wrong person, as a result of an unfortunate administrative human error, and we are apologising unreservedly to both people concerned.

“I can confirm that the intended recipient of the letter has not been affected as a result of not receiving the letter, as he was aware of its contents from an outpatient appointment.”