Bristol trust investigates staff after Oliver McGowan records accessed hundreds of times

Staff at a Bristol NHS trust are under investigation after the medical records of Oliver McGowan were accessed hundreds of times after his death.

Oliver was 18 when he died at Southmead Hospital in 2016. He was autistic and had epilepsy. He was given anti-psychotic medication despite warnings from his parents and suffered a rare, catastrophic reaction.

His parents, Tom and Paula McGowan, later campaigned for better NHS training. The Oliver McGowan learning disability and autism training became mandatory for health and social care staff. The family believes resentment about that training may have led some staff to look at his notes.

Paula McGowan made a subject access request after social media comments appeared to use private details from Oliver's records. An investigation by Southmead Hospital found 38 people accessed aspects of his medical records after his death. Most were linked to complaints, legal proceedings and investigations. The trust believes three nursing staff and a doctor currently employed had no apparent legitimate reason to view them. Another former doctor has referred themselves to the General Medical Council.

Further reporting says the trust has confirmed five staff are under investigation, with 16 former staff members still being traced. Around 168 individual accesses to Oliver's notes have been found, and some notes were printed. There could be more.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, which was responsible for Oliver's care, said it was deeply sorry for the stress and anxiety caused. It said the sanctity of clinical records was incredibly important and that people must be treated with dignity in life and in death. The trust said it was investigating rapidly and would take action if wrongdoing was found. The case has been referred to the Information Commissioner's Office.

NHS England has warned that staff who access records without a valid reason can face disciplinary action, dismissal and potential criminal prosecution. Other cases include the Southport knife attack, where nearly 50 staff looked at victims' records without reason, and Nottingham Trust, where 11 staff were sacked for accessing records of Valdo Calocane's victims. Barnaby Webber's records were also breached.

Paula McGowan said she felt betrayed, disgusted, deeply hurt and disappointed. She questioned where accountability lay. She said Oliver had been dehumanised during his treatment and again after his death. Tom McGowan said the training could save lives, but suggested some doctors disliked being told what to do. The family released video and pictures to remind the trust that Oliver was a person who deserved better.