Confidential records of hundreds of patients at a Wolverhampton hospital were left open and at risk of being stolen after contractors left a door unlocked.

Records that were due to be taken to be put on microfilm and then destroyed were found to be unsecured at New Cross Hospital.

The information included everything from patients’ names and addresses to their medical conditions and the treatments they received.

It is not known how far back the records date.

Health chiefs said that no records were taken and that patients did not need to be concerned for the safety of their personal information.

And they have told the contractors that they will be sacked if anything like this ever happens again.

Hospital spokeswoman Claudine Weeks said the breach had been spotted by a representative from the Unison trade union.

She said: “The secure area where we keep patient records had been found unlocked and was reported to us on Friday.

“This is clearly an unacceptable breach of security.

“The door had been left open by contractors who were taking the records to be put on microfilm.

“We will terminate this contract if we find there is any further breach.

“Inspections have now been carried out and the area has been found to be locked and safe.”

Patient records are kept in the Poplar Building, the oldest part of the hospital.

It is the second serious breach of patients’ security in Wolverhampton this year.

In June a laptop computer was stolen from a doctor.