OAP sex attack claim at East Lothian hospital sparks police investigation

A vulnerable OAP has reported that she was the victim of a terrifying sex attack in a hospital ward.

Crime scene: East Lothian Community Hospital

Police are investigating claims that the woman was attacked at East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington, last month.

Health chiefs have refused to comment on the allegations, which are said to have left staff shocked and raised concerns about security on the wards.

The alleged incident happened less than a month after an elderly patient at the hospital was able to walk out of its front doors during a torrential rainstorm in just his pyjamas.

Staff insiders at the £70m state-of-the-art hospital, which opened its doors last year, say concerns about security and staffing levels at the hospital have been heightened by both incidents.

In the most recent incident, it is claimed that the elderly woman was attacked after a male patient with dementia was able to enter her ward.

Police Scotland confirmed it had been made aware of the allegations and officers are investigating.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a report has been received and enquiries are ongoing.”

However, health chiefs remain tight-lipped about the incident, refusing to divulge any details.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, which oversees the hospital, said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we take any alleged incident of this kind extremely seriously.

“Any case like this is dealt with under the Adult Support and Protection procedures, involving a rigorous investigation, with the involvement of all necessary statutory partners, including the police.

“Any required actions have been taken to ensure that all risks are minimised. ”

“The safety and wellbeing of the people in our care is always our highest priority.”

The East Lothian Community Hospital has secure entrances into each of its wards.

It provides care for long-stay patients, many of whom are in a step down ward transitioning from hospital to home, along with dementia care and ortho-rehabilitation patients.

It also provides palliative care for terminally ill patients.

In October, the health and social care partnership apologised after an elderly male patient was spotted wandering in the street outside the hospital in pouring rain after he apparently walked out of the front door in his pyjamas.

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