Thieves pillage hospital wards

Thieves are raiding hospitals across the north of England, stealing thousands of pounds worth of life-saving equipment to auction online.

Our investigation has revealed vital drugs in maternity departments and games consoles in a children’s ward were just some of the items of hospital property stolen over the last five years.

Brazen thieves also made off with a haul of non-medical gear including a desktop computer, scores of laptops, a vending machine, a 7.5 tonne laundry truck and a lightning conductor.

Nationwide it is believed vital NHS equipment worth millions, including ultrasound machines and scanners, is being stolen to order and shipped abroad, while some is being sold online.

We found used hospital equipment for sale on online auction sites, where the sellers did not verify the source of their products, including medical storage units, wheelchair wheels and crutches.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, blasted: “Such mindless thefts deny life-saving resources for those in need of medical care.

“The NHS is already under a huge financial strain and it can ill afford to let equipment be stolen.

“Urgent security measures are required to protect property.”

We probed 16 hospital trusts across Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and the North East and found that 247 thefts have been recorded with a value of more than £57,000.

But the true cost to the health service is likely to be much higher because four trusts failed to respond and two were unable to give values for the stolen property.

On May 31, 2010, a drug box was stolen from the maternity unit at the Lancaster Royal Infirmary, while an oxygen cylinder, four sets of drugs, a laptop and projector and a 42” plasma TV were also among items taken from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

At North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust a desktop computer including screen, mouse and tower worth £600 was stolen while heartless thieves targeted the paediatric department three times, stealing children’s games consoles.

In November 2011 thieves struck at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle stealing a vacuum pump, which is used in medical treatment that requires suction and is worth £9,600.

Among the most thefts from York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was a 7.5 tonne laundry van stolen in June 2008, while four laptops have also gone missing since March 2012.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had two frozen turkeys stolen from North Tyneside General Hospital, a nitrous oxide gas cylinder worth £100 from the Dental Health Centre and a nebuliser costing £50 from Wansbeck General Hospital.

Richard Hampton, Head of Local Support and Development Services, NHS Protect, said: “NHS Protect takes the issue of theft very seriously.

“Theft of equipment impacts on the ability of the NHS to provide care to patients.

“NHS trusts have staff whose role it is to identify where losses are occurring and take steps to prevent thefts, with NHS Protect providing advice, guidance and support.

“Trusts must work closely with the police to identify thieves and prosecute them.

“If a member of the public has any information about the theft of NHS property they should contact the police.”