Two men who followed staff into Dubbo hospital's intensive care unit and stole boxes of sutures, from what was meant to be a secure storage area, are wanted by police.
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No staff appeared to notice the security breach until hospital visitors raised concerns they'd seen two men, who did not appear to be staff, coming out of the secure area at about 11.30am on Good Friday.
"On reviewing CCTV it was confirmed that two men entered the area behind staff before the automatic door locking mechanism closed and left with two boxes of sutures," a Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) spokesperson said.
"CCTV footage has been made available to police to assist in their enquiries and we wish to thank the public for coming forward promptly with what they witnessed.
"The ICU is protected by a self-locking door with intercom access provided to allow visitors into the area."
The breach comes after $2.2 million was spent by the WNSWLHD to increase security and despite security staff being on the hospital grounds 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the hours and days surrounding the intensive care unit security breach on April 19, hospital staff also had other security issues to contend with, the Daily Liberal can reveal.
Dubbo police said a community member reported a car with two smashed windows to them on April 18.
The car was parked on Myall Street and police discovered it belonged to a hospital worker who was still on duty.
Another hospital worker's car was broken into while parked near the psychiatric ward at about 10.30pm on April 19.
On the night of April 22, yet another hospital worker's car was broken into while it was parked on Myall Street.
"Security in rural and regional hospitals is the subject of a comprehensive review being undertaken by the NSW Government," the WNSWLHD spokesperson said.
