Hospital Staff Look at Private Patient Files

May 15, 2026, 11:19
EuropeHealth

Introduction

A hospital group in Liverpool says 48 workers looked at private medical files. These files belonged to people hurt in the Southport attack in July 2024.

Main Body

The hospital found the problem with a computer check. The workers looked at files of a teacher and a teenager. The hospital gave the workers warnings, but no one lost their job. The hospital did not tell the patients for a long time. The boss said this was to protect the patients' feelings. But the patients and their lawyers are angry. They say the hospital tried to hide the truth. The government and a data office know about this. The data office will not start a criminal case now. The hospital now uses a new computer system. This system stops workers from looking at private files.

Conclusion

The hospital said sorry for the mistake. The data office will continue to watch the hospital.

Learning

The 'Action' Pattern

In this story, many things already happened. We use a special form of the verb to show the past.

The Rule: Just add -ed to the end of the action word.

  • Look →\rightarrow Looked
  • Hurt →\rightarrow Hurt (This one is a rebel; it doesn't change!)
  • Protect →\rightarrow Protected

Spotting the Difference

Now (Present)Then (Past)
I look at the file.I looked at the file.
They use a system.They used a system.

Wait! What about 'did'? When we say "No" in the past, we use did not + the simple word: →→ The hospital did not tell the patients. (We do NOT say "did not told")

Vocabulary Learning

hospital (n.)
A place where sick or injured people are treated.
Example:The hospital in Liverpool was busy with many patients after the attack.
workers (n.)
People who do a job, especially in a factory or office.
Example:The workers at the hospital looked at the private files.
private (adj.)
Not public; belonging to someone only.
Example:The hospital looked at private medical files.
files (n.)
Documents kept together for reference.
Example:The workers checked the files of a teacher and a teenager.
medical (adj.)
Relating to doctors and health.
Example:The private medical files contained the patients' records.
teacher (n.)
A person who teaches others.
Example:One of the files belonged to a teacher.
teenager (n.)
A young person aged 13 to 19.
Example:The other file belonged to a teenager.
warnings (n.)
Notice that says something bad will happen if rules are not followed.
Example:The hospital gave the workers warnings for looking at the files.
job (n.)
Work that a person does to earn money.
Example:No one lost their job after the incident.
patients (n.)
People who receive medical care.
Example:The hospital did not tell the patients for a long time.
feelings (n.)
Emotions or moods that people have.
Example:The boss said this was to protect the patients' feelings.
lawyers (n.)
People who give legal advice and represent others in court.
Example:The patients' lawyers were angry about the secret.
government (n.)
The group that runs a country.
Example:The government knows about the incident.
data (n.)
Information that is collected and stored.
Example:The data office will not start a criminal case now.
office (n.)
A place where people work, especially in a building.
Example:The data office will watch the hospital.
criminal (adj.)
Related to crime or wrongdoing.
Example:The data office will not start a criminal case.
case (n.)
A situation that needs to be solved or investigated.
Example:The data office will not start a criminal case now.
system (n.)
A set of connected parts that work together.
Example:The hospital now uses a new computer system.
sorry (adj.)
Feeling regret or apology for something wrong.
Example:The hospital said sorry for the mistake.
mistake (n.)
An error or thing done incorrectly.
Example:The hospital said sorry for the mistake.