MORE than 5,000 patients were sent a text message in error after an issue with data processing at the University Hospitals Dorset trust.

The trust reassured its patients there has not been a breach of data and were investigating the issue.

A spokesperson said: “On Monday, March 7, an automated text message was set up to be sent to new patients added to a hospital service waiting list.

“Unfortunately, there was an issue with our data processing which led to the text message being sent to 5,360 patients who had previously been referred for an appointment to this service.

“These patients were contacted and asked to fill in the form, as well as those who were the intended recipients of the message.

“This error was identified and stopped by a member of our team, and while we fully investigate the issue, additional safeguards have been implemented to prevent this happening again.

“We would like to confirm that there has not been a breach of data and for those who filled in the form who were not an intended recipient any information inputted will be removed from our systems.

“We would also like to apologise for any distress and inconvenience caused by this and will be contacting each patient directly to provide an update.”

Posting on Facebook, the University Hospitals Dorset trust, which looks after the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals as well as Poole Hospital, urged people not to follow any links and to delete the message.

The post said: “While we investigate why these messages were sent, we ask people not to follow any links and to delete the messages they receive.

“The texts were sent from our systems in error, and we are really sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Messages were sent from our hospital systems, and so your data is safe.

If you filled in the form and you were not an intended recipient of the message any information you inputted will be removed from our systems and you do not need to take any further action.”