Staff suspended at Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital

Three members of staff have been suspended and "confidential investigations" have been launched at Oswestry's Orthopaedic Hospital.

Hospital bosses confirmed today that three unnamed staff members have been removed from their duties while inquiries continue into two unrelated allegations.

The hospital has not confirmed which departments the staff work in or the nature of the inquiries.

Bosses are not saying whether those suspended are senior members of staff, but have urged other workers not to speculate on the nature of the circumstances.

Ruth Tyrrell, associate director of human resources at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust, said: "As a hospital, we are sometimes required to undertake confidential investigations — these can be a result of complaints from patients or issues raised internally, and good governance requires that we investigate thoroughly.

"I can confirm on behalf of the trust that we have suspended three members of staff with regard to two unrelated issues.

"As part of the process of investigation it may be necessary to suspend an individual so that investigations can take place.

"It is important that this information is kept confidential and it is not appropriate to disclose information externally at this stage.

"We are aware that rumours occur in organisations and would request that the need to protect individuals from prejudice is respected by everyone."

Sources at the hospital say the suspensions have upset morale among staff.

One person, who asked not to be identified, said: "Staff are very upset."