ERI security stepped up

Health chiefs have stepped up security at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as the investigation continues into the failure of a private contractor to put its staff through criminal checks.

NHS Lothian announced the move having already put contracted staff in pairs until Disclosure Scotland checks can be carried out.

As the News revealed at the weekend, hospital operator Consort breached its contract to run the ERI by not checking staff’s backgrounds.

Consort is under pressure from patients’ groups and politicians to reveal how many staff underwent the checks.