Six Western General Hospital porters have been suspended following allegations they were drinking while on duty on New Year’s Day. NHS Lothian has initiated an investigation and says it is treating the incident “extremely seriously”.
It is understood that a nurse found the porters drinking in a staff room and alerted management.
George Curley, NHS Lothian’s director of operations, said: “We are investigating allegations into a small number of portering staff drinking alcohol whilst on duty at the Western General Hospital on Wednesday.
“NHS Lothian takes any instances of this nature extremely seriously and as a result of this incident six members of staff have been suspended, and a full investigation is under way. These suspensions had no impact on patients within the hospital and the work of the individuals involved was carried out by other colleagues.”