Police in Central Finland are currently investigating a medical doctor and a psychologist on suspicions of unauthorized access to patient records. According to Chief Inspector Veli-Pekka Välisaari, approximately 60 individuals have been identified as victims thus far, but this number is expected to rise as the preliminary investigation continues. The unauthorized access reportedly took place between the years 2023 and 2025, raising significant concerns regarding patient confidentiality and data security within the healthcare system.

Last September, the Central Finland Welfare Area had reported that two employees were involved in the unauthorized accessing of health data of nearly 150 individuals. Among the culprits is a nursing aide, who accessed information for over 30 individuals without acceptable justification and the case has already moved into the prosecution phase. The second employee, identified as a psychologist, is also being investigated, and a criminal complaint has been filed against a doctor as a result of the findings. Importantly, none of the three individuals remain employed by the welfare area, indicating a swift response to the breaches identified.

In response to these incidents, Kati Kinnunen, the Chief Physician of the welfare area, stated that all cases came to light either through the reports of patients or the whistleblowing of other staff members. The welfare area is now implementing new tools aimed at preventing such unauthorized access in the future to ensure better protection of sensitive health information. This situation underscores the urgent need for more stringent data security measures within healthcare institutions to safeguard patient privacy and trust in the system.