Hospital thieves' tastes revealed

Wheelchairs have been stolen from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board

Breast pumps, pot plants and a lawn mower are some of the more unusual things thieves have taken from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

The thefts were "random and opportunistic", quality improvement and patient safety director Kate Coley said.

Figures released under the Official Information Act show 66 reported thefts from the DHB in the past five years.

Money, wallets and handbags were most commonly stolen with 21 reported incidents. Cellphones and laptops also caught the eye of thieves with 13 stolen.

The list of stolen goods included two pot plants, a breast pump, lawn mower, candles, TV, wheelchair and a hose reel and brass fittings.

A staff member also had their ID card taken.

Items were taken from various places including the hospital wards, mental health services, dental clinics and rural and community services.

The DHB had a number of measures in place to help reduce the opportunity for theft, Ms Coley said.

There are security guards on duty at all times and extensive CCTV coverage throughout the hospital and its grounds.

In a number of areas, swipe cards are needed to access restricted areas.

"We also remind patients and staff through notices and staff meetings, to be aware of their valuables and to keep them out of sight or locked away."

Six cars and five bicycles were also stolen, the figures say.

The DHB does not have responsibility or liability for cars that are parked in its car parks.

Ms Coley said the DHB tried to minimise the opportunity of vandalism or theft with security regularly patrolling the car parking areas, CCTV cameras and lighting.

There is also signage to prompt people to keep any valuables in their car locked away or out of sight.

"We ask staff to be vigilant and report people who are seen loitering in the hospital grounds to security.

"We have a very good relationship with Hawke's Bay Police who help locate stolen items using the CCTV footage we can provide to them, and provide additional support to our security team when required."

Ms Coley said many thousands of people visited the hospital each year and 66 items stolen over a five-year period highlighted the vigilance of the security teams.