A former nurse at Noble's Hospital, who looked up a colleague's medical records has been cautioned, following a hearing before her professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Forty-six year old children's nurse, Heather Speers, discovered the woman, known as 'Patient A', had suffered a miscarriage; something she had only wanted a few close friends to know.

Speers admitted one charge of using unauthorised data and professional misconduct.

She was sacked following a hospital disciplinary hearing.

Kate Skinner reports (audio file attached):

Speers told the Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing she guessed what had happened to 'Patient A' and checked the records so she could empathise with her.

She also said she was absent from work when the data protection policy was introduced and missed the relevant training.

Chairman of the hearing, Nancy Kirkland, said although Speers had breached patient confidentiality, which was a serious matter, she had shown remorse for what was an isolated incident.

Fighting back tears, Speers described how her actions had a huge effect on her and her family and, after being sacked and escorted from the premises, took medication for post traumatic stress.

The caution will remain on her file for two years.