Bolton hospital probe after patient details found in bin

The document contained details of 19 people who had been treated on a ward at the Royal Bolton

A hospital in Greater Manchester has started an investigation after confidential patient details were found in a bin.

A print-out, containing brief details about 19 patients being treated on a ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital, were found in a bin in the town.

The information included names, ages, very short medical history, current symptoms, and discharge notes.

All the patients are being contacted, the hospital confirmed.

In a statement, Dee Sissons, director of patient safety and experience, said: "We take all patient confidentiality issues very seriously and therefore are extremely concerned to hear of this incident.

"We apologise to those patients concerned and we will be contacting them or their carers.

"We are holding an immediate investigation into how this has happened."