Oliver McGowan Obituary, Death – NHS Staff Investigated Over Access to His Medical Records
NHS staff members are under investigation after the medical records of Oliver McGowan were accessed years after the autistic teenager died, prompting renewed concern for his family over the handling of his confidential information.
Oliver was 18 when he died in November 2016 after receiving an antipsychotic medication at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. He had autism, epilepsy and a mild learning disability. He experienced a rare reaction that resulted in severe brain swelling before his death. A later independent review commissioned by the NHS described his death as potentially avoidable.
Medical Records Access Under Investigation
The latest investigation began after Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom McGowan, requested information about access to their son’s medical records.
An audit found 653 instances in which records had been viewed or printed since Oliver’s death. The records showed that 38 current and former staff members had accessed his information. Much of the access was linked to legitimate reasons, including his care, complaints, legal proceedings and the inquest into his death.
However, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust identified a number of cases where legitimate reasons for accessing the records had not been established.
Three current employees are under formal investigation, including two registered nurses and a student nurse. A fourth current employee is under a separate review. A former doctor who accessed Oliver’s records in March 2026 without an established legitimate reason has also referred themselves to the General Medical Council. Investigations into former employees are continuing.
The trust has said most of the access reviewed so far was connected to legitimate clinical or operational activity and that it would be inappropriate to reach conclusions about the cases still under investigation.
Oliver McGowan Remembered
Oliver’s death previously became the focus of wider discussions about the treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in healthcare. His parents continued campaigning following his death, and their work contributed to legislation introduced in 2022 requiring NHS staff in England to receive mandatory training on autism and learning disabilities.
The discovery that his records may have been accessed without a legitimate reason years after his death has added another painful chapter for his family.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the additional distress caused to Oliver’s parents and said it has taken the matter seriously. The trust has also made a precautionary referral to the Information Commissioner’s Office while its investigation continues.
NHS England guidance states that records relating to deceased patients remain subject to a duty of confidentiality, with access handled according to specific circumstances and appropriate procedures.
The investigations into the record access have not yet reached final conclusions. Any findings regarding inappropriate access or professional misconduct will depend on the outcome of those inquiries.