'Lying down' staff let off

Seven members of staff at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon who were suspended for playing the 'lying down game' have been reinstated.

The suspensions followed allegations in August that staff from the Accident and Emergency department had taken pictures of themselves lying on resuscitation trolleys, wards floors and the trust’s helipad during a nightshift.

The images, which have now been removed, were posted on the social networking site, Facebook, under the title Secret Swindon Emergency Department Group.

In a statement released today, the trust said it had made a decision not to dismiss any of those involved.

“The trust has completed the disciplinary hearing for emergency department staff involved in the ‘lying down’ game. We’re glad the staff are back doing what they do best. They need to understand unprofessional behavior is unacceptable.”

In August, the trust said the prank did not involve patients and that patient care was not compromised.

Today's statement added: “All staff are now back at work, there have been no dismissals. We aim to deliver safe, high quality care for each of our patients to achieve this we expect staff to behave in an appropriate manner at all times.”