Radios stolen from Tauranga Hospital

Four handheld radios were stolen from Tauranga Hospital's radiology department during the weekend.

The radios were used for communication between staff coordinating the movement of patients and the theft was enormously frustrating, hospital support services manager Bev Middendorf said.

"The four radios were sitting on a charger bank in the radiology department and the whole lot has been taken.

"These radios were used by our radiology department and hospital orderlies for arranging the transfer and movement of patients. Their theft has the potential to impact on patient's wellness and our ability to respond in a timely manner to requests.

"Time is one of the most important factors in the hospital environment so it's enormously frustrating. And, all in all, stealing from a hospital is just a pretty low thing to do."

The handheld radios were stolen at some stage during the weekend, between Friday evening and early Monday morning.

They were reported missing at 8am on Monday morning and the matter has been referred to the police.

The four radios taken were ICOM IC-F4103D handhelds and they were sitting in an ICOM IC-BC-197 six slot charger bank.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who might know where the radios are to please let the police know. They are important to the running of the hospital and we would like them back."

Anyone with information should call Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300 or Crimestoppers on (freephone) 0800 555 111.