Sick thieves target wards in the city’s hospitals

HOSPITAL wards across Glasgow have been hit by hundreds of thefts in the past five years.

Money, valuables and clothes are just some of the items which were reported stolen in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde buildings.

Medical and IT equipment has also been taken.

Since 2010 there have been 571 reported incidents of thefts at hospitals and specialist units. Those range from 148 incidents of money being taken, 99 reports of valuable possessions going missing and 113 reports of stolen IT equipment.

There were also 30 reports of clothing being snatched, four incidents of controlled drugs being stolen and a pair of glasses.

Thieves also made off with seven TVs and 14 vehicles.

A spokesman from the health board said most wards had “some form” of security measures but thieves were still targeting items.

A nurse working in Glasgow, who asked not to be identified, said: “Most of the time it’s money and valuables stolen from patients and staff. Some patients take a lot of money into hospital because they might not know how long they’re in for.

“We once had a DVD player stolen f rom an unlocked office. Patients have to take responsibility for their belongings. It’s best to lock things up.”

Last year there were a total of 102 reports, with the largest number of incidents taking place at the Southern General.

A total of 21 thefts were reported at the Southern General, followed by 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, 10 at the Western Infirmary and six at Yorkhill Hospital last year, including, clothing, valuable items and two vehicles.