NHS Clinical scientist fired over unauthorised access of almost 400 patients' records
Published: 28/10/2026
| BBC News
NHS Tayside has apologised to 386 patients after a clinical scientist at Ninewells Hospital inappropriately accessed their medical records, leading to his dismissal for gross misconduct.
The details emerged after an employment tribunal in Dundee rejected an unfair dismissal claim brought by Dr Glen Gardner, who was sacked in June 2025. Following an investigation into clinical advice he had provided, Gardner was reassigned to non-clinical duties in 2023. In May 2024, a colleague observed him accessing the patient records system, known as CRIS. A subsequent review found that Gardner accessed records 497 times across 2023 and 2024 without a legitimate reason.
The incident was referred to the Information Commission (ICO), which determined that no personal data had left NHS Tayside systems.
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