Thousands of people will be receiving a letter in the mail from Nova Scotia Health (NSH), following a privacy breach at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital.

In a statement, NSH says a former employee “inappropriately” accessed personal health information including registration, demographic and clinical information affecting 2,690 people.

“While we maintain confidence in the ethical practices of employees throughout our organization, we are extremely disappointed that an employee of Nova Scotia Health would engage in activity of this nature,” said NSH.

The Health Authority says the person responsible has been terminated and that they view this as a summary offence under the Personal Health Information Act.

They add that employees and physicians only have access to information that is required for them to perform their duties.

All those affected will hear directly from Nova Scotia Health to discuss details.

RCMP are investigating.

Nova Scotia Health is in the process of contacting 2,690 people by letter whose personal health information was inappropriately accessed by a former employee at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. The person responsible for the breaches has been terminated. https://t.co/vRfzizRlnl pic.twitter.com/XbPvef9tOt

— Nova Scotia Health (@HealthNS) April 19, 2024