A number of staff at an NHS hospital have faced criticism after it emerged they’d participated in a “disgusting” game of bingo while on a busy A&E ward.
Some members of staff in Leeds General Infirmary participated in the ‘game’ during a busy Halloween shift, and were awarding each other ‘points’ for treating patients in ‘sexy’ costumes, people who were victims of spiking, and joking about stabbing victims.
Other categories that participating staff had to tick off include 'Fisher Price My First MDMA’ and 'NFA not actual costume' - believed to refer to homeless patients.
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The game was played during a surge in reported spiking incidents across the country which saw young women alleging they had been injected with needles in bars and night clubs.
The NPCC said there have been 198 confirmed reports of drink spiking in September and October across the UK, plus 24 reports of some form of injection being used to spike women.
The bingo card was spotted by friend of an A&E patient who made a formal complaint to Leeds General Infirmary.
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“I noticed that the staff were playing a game of 'patient bingo', where they scored points for seeing patients wearing certain Halloween costumes.
"This would be bad enough by itself, but the bingo sheet awarded points for things like seeing 'sexy' patients, and made light of homeless people and patients who may have been spiked.”
The complainant added: “I have complained to the hospital directly about this, but am waiting to hear back for a response.
"I think the hospital needs to be held to account for this disgusting and unprofessional behaviour.”
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The whistleblower said the bingo sheet was visible to anybody entering the A & E department.
"[The game] was just lying on a desk where anyone could see it,” they said.
"I guess it just felt really wrong and I was shocked that the staff would be making a joke out of things as serious as being shot or being spiked, especially since this has been a big problem recently.
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"I was also pretty disgusted that they made a joke about homeless people looking like they're in Halloween costumes, as Leeds has a pretty big homeless problem.
"These are the people we turn to when we're in need, and they were openly mocking the people they're supposed to be helping."
Chief Nurse Lisa Grant has since said the behaviour exhibited was “unacceptable”.
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“I apologise for the offence caused by this behaviour in our emergency department at Leeds General Infirmary,” she said.
"We are extremely disappointed and dismayed that this has happened in one of our hospitals.
"This is clearly unacceptable, and we are taking the appropriate action with those involved.
"We are reminding all colleagues that such behaviours and activities have absolutely no place in our Trust.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Health, NHS, News, Halloween