A sexual health clinic mistakenly leaked the HIV status of nearly 800 patients, bosses admitted.

The 56 Dean Street clinic in London's Soho sent out the names and email addresses of 780 patients when a newsletter was issued to people who attend the clinic.

Patients were supposed to be blind-copied into the email but instead details were sent as a group email.

It was down to a member of staff's "human error", the clinic said.

The Information Commissioner's Office said it was aware of the incident and would be making inquiries.

The maximum fine for breaches of data protection is £500,000.

'We screwed up'

The centre, along with others in the trust's network, comprises Europe's biggest sexual health service.

Patients who have attended HIV clinics and opted in for the clinic's OptionE service were able to see the names and addresses of other patients.

The clinic's online service lets people book appointments and receive test results by email.

Elliot Herman, 38, who has seen a copy of the email, said: "There were 780 people on the list and I'm quite sure that not all of them have revealed their status.

"There were friends of mine on the list who I didn't know were HIV-positive, although I hear that Dean Street says we shouldn't make assumptions.

"For me Dean Street is amazing, a great organisation, very well-run. They provide an excellent service.

"What's done is done, they are clearly learning from their mistakes. Having worked in the NHS I understand what a huge breach this is."

'Confidentiality is crucial'

Dr Alan McOwan, consultant and lead clinician at the clinic, said the breach was a "devastating error".

He added: "Clearly the first priority right now is to be there for the people who use our service. But I think it's really important to say to people not everyone on this list is HIV positive."

A lot of the calls the clinic was receiving are from people who were "worried" that information implies all people on the list are HIV positive.

"That actually isn't the case but hands up, we screwed up on this one," he said.

A spokesperson for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which runs the clinic, said it was "too early" to say what, if any action would be taken against the member of staff.

Chief executive of the National Aids Trust Deborah Gold said: "Confidentiality is crucial to people living with HIV.

"Who people disclose their HIV status to is an extremely personal decision - this type of leak will be very distressing and should not have been possible."

She called for all HIV clinics to "urgently review" their processes so such a leak "cannot happen again".

Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about these issues you can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.?subject=dean%20street" class="story-body__link-email">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Send an SMS or MMS to 61124

We will not publish your name, location or any of your details without your permission.