RECORDS containing the personal bank details of health service staff since 1974 have been lost by a hospital.

The files went missing in October but Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup only reported the matter to police on Friday.

The missing data is held on microfiche format and includes pay slips - potentially containing the addresses, bank details and National Insurance numbers of staff that left Queen Mary's Hospital between 1974 and 1996. A hospital spokesman was unable to estimate the number of former staff who could be affected by the leak.

The files were being moved from one secure location to another, ready for safe disposal, when they went missing on October 17. The microfiche reader has also been lost.

Local MP David Evenett said: "I am very concerned at this news and will be taking up this matter urgently with the Acting Chief Executive to find out what has happened and how it has happened."

A spokesman for Queen Mary's said they were taking the incident very seriously and had been conducting their own investigation since the files were lost and had taken legal advice.

They reported the missing records to police on Friday and informed staff and the media on Tuesday.

The spokesman stressed that police had advised the hospital that the risk of that information falling into the wrong hands was minimal.

She added: "We a focusing on developing new policies and protocol, putting data onto CDs and also ensuring we provide training and improve communication for those dealing with confidential information."

The hospital has also set up a helpline for members of staff who feel they might be affected. Call 020 8309 6247 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday.

Are your details at risk? Let us know your thoughts. Call the Bexley Extra newsdesk on 020 8308 7401 or email bexleyextra@thekmgroup.co.uk