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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this really is the lowest of the low

207 replies

LoopyLou1981 · 13/03/2018 07:25

Just found out that someone has stolen one of the portable DVD players from the children’s ward at our local hospital.
What sort of a scumbag do you have to be to do that?! 😡

OP posts:

thecatsarecrazy · 13/03/2018 09:53

Going off a bit there but my point was some of the people are undesirable. They also had signs in picu saying not to leave belongings around as there had been thefts

bouncydog · 13/03/2018 09:53

1993 DD was taken to GOSH at birth for a lifesaving op. TV and DVD chained to visitor area in neonatal ICU as they had already had 2 stolen.

DD moved onto a ward with 4 beds. I went to the bathroom and returned less than 5 minutes later to find her sleeping mitts had been stolen from her hands!! I would happily have bought the thief a couple of pairs for their child if they were that desperate. Staff told me that parents stole nappies, wipes etc on a wholesale scale.

Biscusting · 13/03/2018 09:56

The behaviour of the general public is abysmal. I do actually think people caught fightning, stealing, beating up staff on site, damaging or injuring ambulances/ staff should be disqualified from the NHS.

Agree with this, but also have massive respect for the NHS staff, that in spite of this behaviour, they still treat their patients to the best of their ability.

StylishMummy · 13/03/2018 09:59

@LimonViola maybe but these are things that are huge and bulky and I don't see how they could be removed without someone seeing. It's the brass neck as much as the selfish cunt behaviour.
The people who have addiction problems to the point of stealing from kids with cancer should be shot in the temple at point blank range. What a drain on society, resources and morale.

Babyiwantabump · 13/03/2018 10:02

It is awful - people literally take anything that is not nailed down. You only have to search for sonicaid on eBay and several come up with MLU or LW written on them that have obviously been nicked!

We had to have all ours attached to stands to prevent this - but still they got taken!

angelnix · 13/03/2018 10:03

It happens so often in the NHS. Hospital grade breast pumps have been stolen (and reunited via eBay!), Thermometers stolen, toys, bedding.....our baby blankets now have "please do not take home" printed on them! I've seen people walk out with boxes of premade formula and nappies before.

TheFaerieQueene · 13/03/2018 10:11

Everyone entering a public building ie hospital/school/nursing home should wear an electronic tag that monitors their location at all times. They can then place who was near the scene of the crime when it happened.
I know that sounds Orwellian but as a law abiding person I would have absolutely no problem with that, if it was a deterrent for the criminal.

UpstartCrow · 13/03/2018 10:13

If you create a dog eat dog, every man for himself society, this is the end result. Its not just poverty that drives this, its the prevailing attitude.

The people who have addiction problems to the point of stealing from kids with cancer should be shot in the temple at point blank range. What a drain on society, resources and morale.

user1471506568 · 13/03/2018 10:14

Wow! I have never thought about this before and it's really eye opening that these people walk amongst us.

I have never stolen anything in my life and would like to think I never would unless absolutely desperate. Even if I was desperate, I would hope that I could think of better places to steal from than a hospital. I think that's the thing that really gets me. Stealing is horrible anyway, but surely even the most desperate people can think of other ways to get money that wouldn't involve stealing from cash strapped hospitals or vulnerable patients.

If it's so common, I wonder if there is anyone on this forum that has done it. Statistically you would think so, but looking at all the responses everyone seems to see themselves as being part of the 10 percent that wouldn't ever steal.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 13/03/2018 10:16

To follow so much shameful and disgraceful behaviour, a little lighthearted post.
My daughter worked as a Beauty Therapist for a few years. There were times when it was necessary to leave the client alone in the treatment room - so, things would get pilfered - products etc. Why, if you could afford the treatment/s in the first place, would you feel obligated to steal a toilet- brush?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 13/03/2018 10:29

What a deeply depressing thread . Who knew how all pervasive this kind of scummy behaviour really is? What a bloody world...

FifiVoldemortsChavvyCousin · 13/03/2018 10:30

I think the issue is entitlement. I won’t put myself, but having worked in the charity sector you would be surprised how many people feel entitled to the free help, are rude and demanding to volunteer and can’t seem to grasp that someone is going out of their way to help them. It is their right.

Yes they should be lobbying politicians that there should be better provision of xyz, not kicking up a fuss because the person who was helping can’t help tomorrow as well. Entitlement, I want this thing so I deserve to have it.

They did some studies in different parts of the world and in Japan people would go to extraordinary lengths to return a ‘dropped’ wallet, always returned intact. Never stolen. Worst case scenario = left on the pavement.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 13/03/2018 10:34

So it's learned / expected behaviour?

PrettyLittIeThing · 13/03/2018 10:34

They apologised for the lack of toys in my local hospital when my son was in there once because people keep stealing the toys.

Seafoodeatit · 13/03/2018 10:36

Not surprised either! youngest DC was born less than a year ago, he was born whilst I was at hospital for a growth scan so didn't have my hospital bag with me, he had to be wrapped in towels as there weren't any hospital blankets or sheets available because of people stealing them.

LimonViola · 13/03/2018 10:49

stylishmummy I wholeheartedly disagree with executing people, whether thieves or people struggling with addiction.

Shockers, guarantee we both know people who steal/have stolen. They just keep it quiet. There's an entire subreddit devoted to how to shoplift. Several times I've worked with someone who has seemed absolutely lovely and then it's come out they've been involved in defrauding and embezzlement from the company. Three in three separate unrelated workplaces. All seemed nice normal people. All of them took thousands.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 13/03/2018 10:53

Actually reading this thread has made me realise I'm in the 80%.

In most situations I would never ever steal but...there is something about a well stocked stationary cupboard that brings out the beast in me. Fluorescent things in particular.

HobnobBob · 13/03/2018 10:58

This happens all the time. We are looking at getting our thermometers tied to the equipment trolley as they keep getting stolen.

Food also gets stolen, I remember one colleague found a parent eating her lunch.

Labtest7 · 13/03/2018 11:00

My daughter was treated for leukaemia at the RVI in Newcastle, and this happened there too. I couldn't believe anyone would stoop so low as to steal from a children's oncology ward, but they will!!

JustMarriedAndLovingIt · 13/03/2018 11:02

Someone stole our charity collection tin but the guy on front desk didn’t realise as he’s visually impaired. Doubly disgraceful to take advantage of the hospital and him.

Bindibot · 13/03/2018 11:05

@THeTab; I had my shoes nicked too; though this was before the locker room had a lock

FifiVoldemortsChavvyCousin · 13/03/2018 11:10

HobnobBob

Was the parent confronted? What did they say?

GinnyJumperoo · 13/03/2018 11:13

How do these people not get caught?? I mean fish bucket man. Did no one see him scooping them out?!

halfwitpicker · 13/03/2018 11:13

These take a certain kind of stupid really. Stupid is as stupid does!

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 13/03/2018 11:13

I am absolutely aghast that this is so common. I’ve only been in hospital twice as an adult, both at the Women’s hospital due to pregnancy issues and never had a problem. Never even considered it would be tbh!

I was going to donate an Xbox to Alder Hey but now I’m not sure I want to

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