SWIVEL chairs, a fire extinguisher, blank prescriptions and morphine tablets were among £23,000 worth of equipment stolen from NHS Lothian premises in recent years, it emerged today.
The past two years have seen a surge in thefts and sparked a review and the launch of a new group to oversee security, according to figures released under freedom of information laws.
The majority have involved computer equipment, including monitors, laptops and processors, but NHS Lothian has stressed patient confidentiality has not been jeopardised.
In October, a £150 digital camera stolen from the communications department at Deaconess House sparked a security review.
Meanwhile, a series of thefts from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, including laptops, keys, a projector, a mobile phone and cash, led to the police fraud unit being called in and a report being sent to the procurator fiscal last year.
Mick McGahey, Unison branch secretary for NHS Lothian's University Hospitals Division, said: "There's a problem with people getting access to NHS buildings. The thing is, we have got to be accessible, people need to be able to access services and we try to have a relaxed approach.
"But we've been raising questions about security, and a sub group has been set up over the last couple of months.
"We take the view that there are inadequate resources in terms of security – it was appropriate in the past, but we have moved on.
"We need at least a minimum standard of security at all our hospitals, with security guards who are properly trained.
"It might cost NHS Lothian more in the short term, but in the long run I am sure it will save it money."
John Jack, NHS Lothian's director of facilities, said: "We are currently carrying out a review of all our security measures.
"This is partly in response to government requests that security should be reviewed at all public buildings.
"It is also because the establishment of a single-system approach for the whole of Lothian means we can now develop and introduce common approaches on a range of issues.
"A series of recommendations will be made to the board in respect of security in due course.
"Sadly, as an organisation with 300 buildings where hundreds and thousands of people need to be able to come and go each year, we are a target for thieves.
"Security guards, CCTV and controlled access to private areas are just some of the ways we minimise the problem. We also take measures to try and ensure that confidential data is robustly protected.
"There have also been a number of successful prosecutions of people caught stealing from NHS Lothian.
"Part of the reason for the apparent increase in incidents over the past couple of years is a rise in reporting of thefts.
"This is something we very much encourage, as it helps us identify ways to tighten up procedures.
"I hope the current review will contribute to this in two ways: first by introducing new ways to keep NHS property secure; and second to make it easier to catch and prosecute the tiny number of people who find it acceptable to steal from the health service."
www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk,
www.unison.org.ukThe full article contains 545 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
