Derelict hospital costs thousands

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A health board has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on security at a derelict hospital where a member of the public discovered private patient data.

NHS Lanarkshire confirmed it has paid out £850,789 on maintaining the Law Hospital in Carluke since it closed its doors in May 2001.

BBC Scotland revealed X-rays marked with patients' names and photographs were found scattered about the site.

The health board said it was obligated to ensure the site was secure.

The discovery of patient information came to light after amateur photographer Gary Whittle sent shots of the hospital to the BBC Scotland news website.

X-rays clearly marked with patients' names, photographs of injuries, and other material marked "confidential" were found at the site.

The former hospital had a security guard at the front gate, but there was open access from the side.

'Health and safety'

NHS Lanarkshire admitted mistakes were made in transferring the information and issued an apology. It said all data had since been destroyed.

The health board confirmed it spent £126,000 in the last year on maintaining the site.

An NHS Lanarkshire spokesman said: "The cost has risen annually due to statutory increases, such as the minimum wage and inflation, and the increased security provision at the site.

"NHS Lanarkshire has an obligation, under health and safety legislation, to ensure the site is secure."

In January this year developers announced a £100m project to create 500 homes on the former hospital.

NHS Lanarkshire said the sale of the land was at a "commercially sensitive stage" and was unable to reveal when the deal would be completed.