Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - A Hutt Hospital worker who accessed patient files without a legitimate reason has been fired.

The dismissal followed a Hutt Valley District Health Board (HVDHB) investigation into three potential privacy breaches in October and December, two of which were upheld.

"The two people who were found to have used files inappropriately were both administrative staff. One was dismissed and the other received a written warning," DHB acting chief executive Michael Hundleby told the Dominion Post.

While the dismissed employee was identified through whistle blower legislation, the other employee owned up Mr Hundleby said.

The investigation follows an overhaul of the DHB's privacy processes, which included the hiring of a privacy officer and a rewirte of the staff confidentiality forms to include the words: "It is vital that you act professionally and ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. This includes the health information of other staff members and your own family members who are a patient at Hutt Valley DHB."

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