A group of medics are being investigated
after they allegedly spied on Sir Alex Ferguson out of 'personal
curiosity' when he was fighting for his life in hospital.
Two
doctors and a senior medical consultant reportedly accessed the former
football manager's medical records illegally when he was admitted to
Salford Royal Hospital in May.
Sir Alex had undergone emergency surgery after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
It is believed at least two nurses are also being questioned following an audit of the hospital's computer system.
Investigators suspect the medics, none of whom were involved in Sir Alex's care, were viewing his medical records out of personal curiosity, the Sunday Times reported.
The
staff members involved would be in breach of both patient
confidentiality and data protection laws if the allegations are proven
to be true.
Dr Chris Brookes, chief medical officer
for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, said: 'Investigations are
ongoing to determine if the individuals have accessed a patient's record
electronically without a clinical requirement or authorisation to do
so.'
The former Manchester United
manager was placed in an induced coma at Salford Royal after he suffered
a brain haemorrhage in May.
The former manager's first words when he
came around were to ask how his son Darren's football team had got on
while he was undergoing surgery.
Doncaster Rovers had, unfortunately, lost 1-0 to Wigan earlier that day.
The football legend later released a video message thanking staff at the hospital.
He said: 'Believe me, without those people who gave me such great care I would not be sitting here today.
'So thank you from me and my family.'