Hospitals count cost of thefts

Medical equipment, computers and Christmas decorations are among items worth tens of thousands of pounds reported stolen or missing by patients and staff at West Midland hospitals.

Hundreds of items have disappeared from wards in the region between 2006 and 2008, new figures reveal. All hospital trusts covering the Black Country, Stafford and Cannock provided the Express & Star with lists of items reported missing through the Freedom of Information Act.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Hospital Trust appears to have been the hardest hit by thieves after recording at least £56,000 worth of goods disappearing.

Its three hospitals – City, Sandwell and Rowley, recorded 225 items missing, including an endoscopic camera system worth £25,000 taken in September 2007 from the surgical day unit at Sandwell.

Bosses said today all reports of thefts were reported to police and that they were increasing spending on security.

Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust's totalled £44,305,74, including the theft of a portable echo machine in October 2006 worth £34,706.

The hospital today said it was looking at making its security measures stronger in the wake of a series of thefts.

At Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, £6,562 worth of equipment was reported lost or stolen including computers. Spokeswoman for the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Claudine Weeks said: "We already have very robust security across the site and these incidents were isolated."

In Dudley, thefts totalled £8,344 which included a flat screen computer monitor worth £560 taken in June 2007.

The trust says it treats security as a "top priority" and has extensive CCTV.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation trust reported 65 alleged incidents of thefts. A new £75,000 CCTV system has just been installed at Stafford Hospital and the trusts has just recruited a local security specialist manager.