HSE fined €645k over records covered in animal droppings
An investigation into the storage of paper records by the HSE has found incidents of documents contaminated by animal droppings, destroyed by mould or rotting due to water damage.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been fined €645,000 by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) for failing to properly store paper records in their facilities. The DPC investigation, launched in May 2024, found that records were stored in unsanitary conditions, including bathrooms, shipping containers, and derelict buildings.
Documents were found covered in animal droppings, mold, rubble, and water damage. The DPC has ordered the HSE to conduct a thorough audit of all storage facilities and destroy any records no longer needed. The DPC described the storage conditions as "deeply concerning and disturbing," and a "systemic issue" across the HSE. The HSE has acknowledged the findings and is working to address the issues, including implementing a national approach to record archiving and disposal.
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