UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM HOSPITAL Hospital Clamp After Computer Thefts (from This Is Lancashire): "Hospital clamp after computer thefts
By Jane Lavender

SECURITY is being reviewed at the Royal Bolton Hospital after thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment was stolen.

Thieves stole four computers thought to contain information on patients' pacemaker settings from the hospital's cardiology department Police are working with the hospital in a bid to improve security following the thefts - which included laptop computers - over the weekend of October 7.

Heather Edwards, head of communications at the hospital, said: 'The police are investigating the thefts. The Trust's security manager is working closely with the police to further improve security at the hospital.'
continued...

She added: 'A computer was stolen from pathology, one from the orthopaedic department, two from cardiology and two flat display screens from an outpatient waiting area.

'All the information on these computers was backed up elsewhere and therefore no information was lost.

'Patient care and treatment has not been affected by the theft of these computers.'

It is thought the thieves may have broken in through a window in the reception area and it is estimated that about £3,000 worth of equipment was stolen.

At the time of the theft Mrs Edwards said that some members of staff had been anxious that the stolen computers may be the only sources of important information.

But the hospital discovered that the there were back-up files to which staff can refer.

A £1.4 million refurbishment of two wards, including a cardiology ward, is due be completed by December.

The renovations will create private bays for patients, instead of the current open, 28-bed ward.

"