NHS Tayside is investigating an alleged breach involving the medical records of nine-year-old Minnie Merriman, who died after being found seriously injured in Dundee. The inquiry concerns reports that staff at Ninewells Hospital accessed her records without authorisation or a clinical need, raising concerns about patient confidentiality during a high-profile criminal investigation.

The trust said any confirmed data-protection breach would be recorded, investigated and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office. A 35-year-old man known to Minnie was charged in connection with her death on 5 August and remanded in custody; Police Scotland says it is not seeking anyone else. Minnie was found at Elliot Industrial Estate shortly after midnight on 3 August, taken to Ninewells Hospital and later died.