More on an alleged patient records breach at the hospital

Sault Area Hospital says it is cooperating with provincial authorities after uncovering evidence of an alleged unauthorized access to its patient files.

The hospital reported in June that an internal investigation into allegations of unauthorized access by a physician found no breach.

However, Brandy Sharp Young, the hospital’s communications manager, told SooToday this afternoon that “further investigation” has turned up evidence of a breach and that information has been passed on to the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

A notice of hearing issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario earlier this year alleges a Sault physician inappropriately and without consent accessed records of an unnamed person who was not his patient on a number of occasions between 2003 and 2014 and then acted as coroner “in all or in part” in an investigation into that person’s death last year despite “a real or perceived conflict of interest due to a close personal relationship.”

The hearing notice also alleges the doctor inappropriately accessed health records of a second person who was not his patient a number of times between 2003 and 2006.

The allegations have not been proven in a court of law.

If found to have committed the misconduct alleged by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Douglas Brooks could face a number of possible sanctions, including having his certificate with the college suspended or revoked.

The notice of hearing says records for both patients in this case were held at Group Health Centre and that the records of one of the patients was held at Sault Area Hospital.

Sharp Young said “appropriate measures” have been taken and the hospital is cooperating with the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

The family of the Sault Area Hosptial patient whose records were involved has been notified, she said.

Brooks is currently under no practice restrictions and has no past discipline findings listed on the public register of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website.

A hearing on the allegations is scheduled to take place in April.

Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

Group Health says probe underway as doctor to face disciplinary hearing