Ten NHS staff have been removed from active duty or suspended following an unauthorised data breach involving the medical records of three-year-old Noah Woods. The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust confirmed the disciplinary actions while launching an urgent investigation into the incident.

Dr Martin Mansfield, deputy chief medical officer at the trust, stated that any unauthorised access of patient data is "completely unacceptable." The trust has issued an unreserved apology to Noah's family and indicated that further disciplinary measures will be taken if necessary. The breach came to light during the period a major search was underway for Noah, who had gone missing from the village of Brantham, Suffolk, on September 15.

Authorities reported that 10 employees have been suspended or removed from duty pending the conclusion of investigations. This action follows a directive from Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, who urged all trusts to implement stronger measures against data breaches. Sir Jim emphasised that individuals abusing patient trust to satisfy curiosity would face severe consequences, including career loss and potential criminal charges.

The trust's deputy director of communications, Anna Turner, explained that the breaches were identified through a proactive search prompted by the high-profile nature of Noah's case. "We have made it impossible to find [Noah's] record, which is something we're able to do in this specific case," she noted, highlighting steps taken to prevent further unlawful access.

Noah's body was discovered by police divers in nearby water the day after he went missing. An inquest opened on Friday heard that the three-year-old had left a play area through a gap in a fence. Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill described the death as "very sad and tragic" as she opened and adjourned the inquest in Ipswich.

In a statement released on Sunday, Dr Mansfield confirmed that immediate measures were taken to secure patient records and prevent further access for non-clinical reasons. The trust has reported the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and pledged to keep Noah's family informed.

At least 1,300 members of the public joined emergency services in the extensive search for the missing boy in the 24 hours before he was found. Noah's family paid tribute to him as a "happy, cheeky, playful boy who loved to laugh."

The trust informed all staff about the breach on Saturday, stressing the swift action being taken. Information governance training and regular reminders are provided to staff, with posters displayed in staff areas to reinforce policies on data protection.