HEALTH bosses say they are "taking the right actions" to clamp down on thefts at Nottingham's hospitals.

It comes after nearly 400 reported thefts at the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital in the last three years.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request by the Post show there were a total of 113 theft at the two hospitals between April 2011 and January this year.

A further 141 thefts were reported in the whole of 2010-11, with 137 incidents in 2009-10.

The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, says staff are working hard to tackle the problem.

Gary Tibbs, the trust's head of security, said: "Stealing from a hospital, its staff or its patients is a despicable crime and we will continue to work closely with the police to ensure that anyone who commits theft will face prosecution.

"We see more than one million patients each year – with many more visitors. The nature of hospital buildings means they are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We have a hardworking, fully-qualified team of security staff who have increased their foot patrols around our two hospital sites – and we have invested in a new CCTV control room to enhance the way we monitor security.

"Lighting has also been improved. We are confident we are taking the right actions to combat theft."

Records held by the trust do not identify whether the thefts took place on wards or staff areas at the hospitals.

Barbara Venes, of the Local Involvement Network, which represents patients' interests in Notts, said: "I haven't heard recently of any thefts but I'm sure it does happen, either from other patients or by people coming into the hospitals.

"It's very difficult to have a secure hospital because patients and visitors can wander in and out of the buildings.

"Patients are easy prey. They are often not awake or able to watch their belongings.

"Maybe the hospitals need to take more care in highlighting the issue."