BOSSES at Ipswich Hospital today revealed security staff were forced to eject a woman who had attempted to see patients on wards without any authorisation.

BOSSES at Ipswich Hospital today revealed security staff were forced to eject a woman who had attempted to see patients on wards without any authorisation.

When confronted the female, who said she was studying medicine, became agitated and caused a commotion at the reception desk near the entrance to the south wards, the hospital said.

Two members of staff in green security jackets and another security officer left the woman in no doubt that she would be evicted from the site.

It is believed she thought she had permission to enter the hospital and produced a student card, stating she was studying at university outside of the county.

There is no suggestion any patients were at risk. However, when any student has been given permission to observe how the hospital works they must make an appointment and be closely supervised.

The woman is believed to have taken exception to being challenged when she tried to enter the hospital alone.

The situation escalated and the female, who is thought to have been in her 30s, was detained at the reception desk.

Despite her protestations she was told to leave the premises.

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust moved to reassure patients and their families after the incident, which occurred just after 3.30pm on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “Patient safety is our first priority.

“The privacy and dignity of our patients is always paramount and the situation was dealt with efficiently by our security team and resolved with the individual involved.

“We work very hard to support all students, but in this particular instance we did not have full verification.”

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