CONFIDENTIAL patient information has been stolen from the home of a GP.

Burglars broke into Dr Thomas Lynch's family home in the early hours of July 16, stealing, among other things, the Dunstan Medical Centre's practice laptop.

The laptop contained confidential information about the thousands of people who are patients at the Tonge Fold GP's surgery.

But doctors at the practice insist any information stored on the computer is "held under the strictest multiple password security and unauthorised access would be highly unlikely".

All patients at the medical centre have been sent a letter, explaining what has happened, and the burglary has been reported to the police and the Primary Care Trust.

The letter said: "At Dunstan Medical Centre, we do take the security of our patient data very seriously and have policies and procedures regarding who can use these laptop computers and how they must be stored. None of these policies and procedures were breached."

Doctors at the practice use the laptop computers when they are visiting patients in their own homes so they can access vital medical information while out of the surgery.

It also means doctors can complete other work, such as medical reports, at home.

But some patients are concerned their details are taken out of the surgery.

One female patient, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I think it's a very serious matter that all patient details are taken out of the practice. It's certainly worrying that it has been stolen."

Anyone with any concerns about the theft are being urged to contact the practice manager, Vera Bourn by writing to Dunstan Medical Centre, 284 Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6AY.