Four staff members charged with stealing from Ninewells Hospital

Four men have been charged with the theft of supplies from Ninewells Hospital.

The ancillary staff, aged between 23 and 53, had access to the hospital stores from where medical equipment, excluding medicines, had gone missing.

Hospital chiefs launched an investigation into the stock discrepancies before they notified police.

The men, one of whom is understood to have worked at Ninewells for almost 30 years, are alleged to have stolen general items that would hold value outside the hospital.

It is thought that paper towels and even wooden pallets used to transport deliveries were taken.

NHS Tayside would not comment on the case, saying only: ”This matter is now with the procurator fiscal. It would not be appropriate for us to comment.”

Tayside Police confirmed it had investigated the claims.

A spokesman for the force added: ”Tayside Police can confirm that four men, aged 53, 52, 51 and 23 years old have been charged in connection with this matter and the circumstances have been reported to the procurator fiscal.”