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Box of health records found at the Fort Simpson dump

Sibbeston

The health department says it’s trying to recover a stack of medical records a Fort Simpson man reportedly found at the dump.
Randy Sibbeston told CBC North late last week that he found hundreds of records in a bankers box at the Fort Simpson dump. According to the news story, the documents contain names, SIN numbers and sensitive information pertaining to substance abuse and mental health.
Sibbeston didn’t respond to a request for interview from News/North by press time.

Fort Simpson resident Randy Sibbestion says he found hundreds of medical records at the dump. NNSL file photo

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) posted an information sheet on Friday for those concerned about the breach, saying its first priority is obtaining the records. It then intends to investigate where the records came from and how they ended up in Sibbeston’s possession.
Residents concerned whether their data is in the records can contact Sarah Day, manager of mental health and addictions with the health authority, though the NTHSSA says it intends to directly contact all those affected.
"We do not yet have the records in our possession, however we have been in contact with the individual who has them and asked that the records be immediately returned," reads the sheet, which is posted on the NTHSSA’s website. "We are asking that the individual with the records return them to us to prevent further breaches of patient information and so that we are able to determine the full scope of impact."
On Friday, Sibbeston made repeated posts on social media detailing his displeasure with the way he’s been dealt with in this situation.
It’s the latest of several high-profile breaches of patient information from the GNWT. In June, a laptop containing the health data of up to 80 per cent of NWT residents was stolen from a car in Ottawa. In 2014, a USB stick with 4,000 records was lost but eventually found. In 2010 and again in 2012, health department staff mistakenly faxed medical records to CBC North’s office.