NHS trust investigates two staff over tiger victim's medical records
Yorkshire Ambulance Service says two employees may have accessed information about William Chapman, 23, after he was killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
At a glance
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is investigating two staff over possible access to William Chapman's medical records.
- Chapman, 23, was killed by a 200kg Siberian tiger named Altai after climbing into its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
- An inquest heard he had schizophrenia and his family raised concerns about his mental health care; a full inquest is set for 18 March.
Two members of staff at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust are under investigation over the possible accessing of medical records belonging to a man who was killed by a tiger at a wildlife park, the trust has said.
William Chapman, 23, died after he climbed into the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and was mauled by Altai, a 200kg male Siberian tiger. Paramedics attended on Saturday and confirmed his death at the scene.
The trust said it had "identified an information governance concern in relation to this tragic incident" and that Chapman's family had been informed. It believes there may have been "two instances involving two members of staff accessing or attempting to access incident/medical information following this incident without a legitimate reason to do so".
The potential breach has been reported to the Information Commissioner's Office. The trust said the concern was identified through its own proactive audits and that it takes the confidentiality and security of patient information "extremely seriously".
Inquest opened
An inquest opening at Doncaster coroner's court on Thursday heard that Chapman had schizophrenia and had experienced bouts of psychosis, but was "highly functioning and independent with no care requirements". He was a self-employed online trader living in Doncaster at the time of his death.
His family, who did not attend the hearing, raised concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death. Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust has launched its own investigation into that contact.
Coroner's officer Caitlin Brookes told the hearing: "He was approached by the tiger and the ensuing physical contact between the tiger and Mr Chapman led to him sustaining multiple traumatic injuries which rapidly led to his death." An initial postmortem found he died from multiple traumatic injuries.
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said her office was awaiting a more substantial report on the extent of Chapman's injuries ahead of a full inquest on 18 March.
Park reopens
Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened on Friday after being closed since the attack. It said safety was its "highest priority" and thanked members of the public who had sent "messages of support and love for our team at this time".
Wildlife and zoo experts have told the Guardian it is unlikely the park could have done anything to prevent the death.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- Who was William Chapman, the man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
- Chapman was 23 and a self-employed online trader living in Doncaster. He died after climbing into the tiger enclosure and being mauled by a 200kg male Siberian tiger named Altai.
- Why is Yorkshire Ambulance Service investigating its staff?
- The trust said there may have been two instances of two members of staff accessing or attempting to access incident or medical information after the attack without a legitimate reason. The potential breach was reported to the Information Commissioner's Office.
- When is the full inquest into William Chapman's death?
- A full inquest is scheduled for 18 March. The senior coroner's office is first awaiting a more substantial report on the extent of his injuries.
