Why Was It Not Locked Away?

BERNADETTE · 29-05-2008, 20:22

A man receiving treatment at the Royal Blackburn has had his wallet stolen whilst having an x-ray done. The wallet contained over £100 and his credit cards. On first reading the story I wondered why anybody would take such a large amount of cash into hospital but it seems he collapsed in the street and was taken to hospital thus preventing him from taking the money home.
The hospital are saying they have secure places to keep valuables so why was the money not locked away. Apparently the man had told staff he was in possession of the money. I know the theft is despicable but it puzzles me why precautions weren't used to avoid it.

MargaretR · 29-05-2008, 20:24

My mum had her handbag stolen when in surgery at Lancaster.
No offer to store valuables was ever made to her.

Margaret Pilkington · 29-05-2008, 20:27

Maybe he declined to leave it with them for safekeeping.

I have known patients to notify staff of the fact that they have valuables with them, but when offered a safe place to keep them, they have not taken up the offer.

It is always best to leave such valuables at home...just take enough money to see you through the visit.

WillowTheWhisp · 29-05-2008, 20:32

But he didn't have the choice of leaving it at home Margaret. He collapsed in the street and was taken by ambulance.

Margaret Pilkington · 29-05-2008, 20:37

I was speaking in general Willow....not relating to this case.....it was just a bit of advice for anyone who has to attend hospital for any reason.

BERNADETTE · 29-05-2008, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I was speaking in general Willow....not relating to this case.....it was just a bit of advice for anyone who has to attend hospital for any reason.

You are right Marg Mum has just a few bob for papers and suchlike. When Ian was in Blackpool the staff weren't for letting his son have his lead for his personal CD player. All his things were locked away when he went for surgery.

WillowTheWhisp · 29-05-2008, 20:54

Oh sorry, I thought you meant this particular case. Yes whenever I've had to stay in hospital I've only kept enough cash with me for bits and bobs like the odd newspaper. I can't understant why anyone would want to keep more, unless they needed more for taxi home afterwards or something but if there is a safe deposit box then opting not to use it is a bit silly.

I wonder if this poor man was offered?

Margaret Pilkington · 29-05-2008, 20:54

It used to be a nightmare on theatre days when our patients brought in all the jewels they possessed....everything had to be checked by two nurses....documented in triplicate and put into a doubly signed envelope and then consigned to the wall safe.
At pre-op assessment I used to make a point of telling patients to leave their valuables at home....and only bring in enough money for a daily paper or Magazine.
Thieves are about everywhere...including hospitals!

jaysay · 29-05-2008, 21:28

I was once taken ill whilst I was away from home, at the tme I had quite a lot of money on me as I was going to play a bill, I told the staff at BIR that I had the money and they recomended me to let them have it for safe keeping, so I did, when I was ready for going home I asked about my money and they gave me a cheque, I happened to mention that I couldn't eat a cheque, but it made no difference. If ever I have to go into hospital I only take enough cash to buy papers and things like that, I learnd the hard way

shillelagh · 29-05-2008, 21:37

When mum was in we used to take everything in for her she had £3 at the most for anything she needed when the hairdresser came round it was lucky - i was there and paid for it think it cost £4 for her hair being done. When i got took in at Blackburn the old one - they told me to give my necklaces to my brother all my valuables were to be took home - big mistake - my brother lost all my necklaces they were all given to me by my mum and dad all 5 of them gold and one of them was my 18th birthday pressie, so now nothing goes with me to the hospital unless im took there as an emergency.

forceten · 29-05-2008, 22:24

I had to call an ambulance for my Mum in December as some of you may recall. She took her purse which had a token amount of money in and her bank cards. She also had several bracelets on her wrist. She was an emergency admission by ambulance and we didn't think to take the cards off her.

Whilst she was recovering from an emergency bowel operation, some low life scum took the purse out of my Mums locker at the side of her bed. The purse also had her bracelets in which she had had to take off as she had a drip in. She wasn't offered a safe place to keep them, nor was any jewlery she had on documented.

The shock of this theft gave my Mum a heart attack, 24 hours later she suffered a stroke, and my Mum is now in a nursing home, and doesn't even know me.

All because she had her purse pinched.

Mind you, I did get a crime reference number from the police

lancsdave · 29-05-2008, 22:26

Shame they don't catch the thieving scum in the act and take them straight to the theatre for hand removal

BERNADETTE · 29-05-2008, 22:38

That was the thing that puzzled me the man says the staff were aware he had the money with him. Knowing as they must do that thefts occur even in hospital wouldn't you think they would want temptation moving for any would be thief??? After all if you were around when it happened there is always going to be the element you being as suspect as the thief.( Don't think I put that very well but hope you know what I mean)

Margaret Pilkington · 30-05-2008, 08:00

Bernie, the staff in question are probably writing statements as we speak.......there will be a major investigation if what has been printed in the paper is true.

WillowTheWhisp · 30-05-2008, 09:01

That's awful forceten.

I don't know how someone like that can live with themselves.