PRIVATE, confidential information about a psychiatric patient has been found in a visitor's toilet at the Brooker Centre, beside Halton Hospital.

Two open brown envelopes contained a man's name, NHS number, blood test results and personal medical details.

"I was shocked," said the Runcorn woman who found the information on Monday afternoon, in the female visitor's toilet between the Brooker reception and the Pine Day Unit.

"This poor person has no idea their details were just randomly left in a toilet. They could have been found by someone who knows him.

"One letter had information on him recently overdosing on medication. I think it is quite shocking that such private information could be carried haphazardly into a toilet.

"Surely it would be safer to send it electronically?"

The woman immediately handed in the information to reception staff.

The 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust is investigating the incident.

Simon Barber, chief executive, said: "We take our responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of patients' records very seriously and would like to reassure the public that we consider any breach of patient confidentiality to be wholly unacceptable.

"Initial findings indicate that this was a one-off incident as a result of human error.

"It appears that a member of staff, who has come forward and admitted their mistake, inadvertently left the envelopes behind after visiting the lavatory.

"We would like to thank the member of public who handed the envelopes back and apologise for any concern this may have caused."

A memo is being issued to remind staff of their duty to safeguard all confidential information.