12-Month Warning For Pharmacist Who Accessed Medical Records of Colleague and Partner Without Clinical Justification
Date of Decision: July 28, 2026
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- On 18 May 2020, the registrant accessed a colleague’s electronic medical records on several occasions without the colleague’s consent or any clinical justification. This allegation was admitted and found proved.
- It was alleged that, after accessing the colleague’s records, the registrant disclosed information to other members of staff, including: that the colleague had not taken insulin; and the colleague’s blood glucose and ketone test results.
- The registrant accessed the electronic medical records of a person with whom the registrant had been in a personal relationship, without clinical justification, on: 12 February 2018; 11 May 2018; 10 February 2020; 25 March 2020; 27 March 2020; 30 March 2020; 28 May 2020; and 1 June 2020.
Outcome: Warning
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 2 – Pharmacy professionals must work in partnership with others.
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement.
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner.
- Standard 7 – Pharmacy professionals must respect and maintain a person’s confidentiality and privacy.
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership.
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned repeated unauthorised access to electronic patient records by a hospital pharmacist. At the relevant time, the registrant was working as a rotational pharmacist in an Aseptic Preparation Unit responsible for preparing and dispensing medicines for oncology patients.
The first incident arose on 18 May 2020 after a member of the pharmacy team became acutely unwell at work. The colleague had diabetes and experienced symptoms including dizziness, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain and deep breathing. The colleague attended the hospital’s diabetes service before being transferred to Accident and Emergency and subsequently admitted to the Acute Medical Unit with diabetic ketoacidosis.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved