A HOSPITAL worker has condemned the “low-life” who stole her bicycle while she tended seriously ill patients.

Andrea Macdonald says the thief must have used bolt-cutters to break the lock from her bike while she worked a night shift at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The 50-year-old health care assistant had taken heed of the hospital’s policy of encouraging staff to avoid taking cars to work.

She has had to pay to replace her two-year-old bike, which was taken between 9.30pm on Saturday and 7.30am on Sunday while she worked on a respiratory ward.

“I was just horrified that some low-life would steal from a hospital when someone’s working to save lives and to look after the ill,” said Andrea, known as Andy, of Chesildene Avenue, Bournemouth. “To me, that’s like stealing from a church or an old lady. I was just disgusted. “Surely whoever stole it has needed medical treatment in the past and they steal from a hospital.”

She add-ed: “I park-ed it right near the security camera. The security cameras revolve so the criminal has waited until the camera wasn’t pointing that way, then he’s cut it and legged it.”

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: “The trust encourages staff to use the safety measures provided when storing their bikes on site.

“The trust provides secure bike sheds for staff at each of its sites and offers bike locks to staff at a reduced price. Twenty-four hour security is also present with CCTV facilities for additional safety.

“In April the trust was awarded the Park Mark Safer Parking Facility award for the second year running. This includes a police review of parking facilities and the security measures in place to create a safer environment for both motorists and cyclists.

“Although the trust takes preventative measures to safeguard the property of its staff, patients and visitors, individuals are responsible at all times for the protection and safe keeping of their private property.”