Man admits posing as medical student at hospital

A man has admitted pretending to be a medical student for several weeks and accessing Aberdeen hospital wards and files.

Stephen Simpson, 22, wore medical scrubs and NHS branded clothing at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), as well as having a stethoscope.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Simpson admitted fraud, between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024. Sentence was deferred until later this month for reports.

NHS Grampian said hospitals were large, and all staff had a role to play in maintaining security.

Simpson originally faced a total of six charges - one of fraud and five others of theft.

The fraud was alleged to have happened between 22 September 2023 and 26 January 2024.

However, solicitor Laura Gracie said Simpson was pleading guilty to two amended charges.

These were that Simpson, from Aberdeen, pretended to employees he was a medical student authorised to be in ARI.

Wearing medical scrubs and NHS branded clothing, and having a stethoscope and pager, he induced employees to allow him to remain in the hospital and gain access to restricted areas and files, staff-only areas, wards, and had access to medical files.

He also admitted stealing items of NHS branded clothing, a pager, and perfume.

The amended pleas were accepted by fiscal Dylan Middleton for the Crown.

Sheriff Morag McLaughlin deferred sentence for a criminal justice social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment.

Jug Johal, NHS Grampian's interim director of infrastructure, sustainability and support services, said: "We note the ongoing legal proceedings in this case.

"Our hospitals are large, busy, public buildings. All staff have a role to play in maintaining security and we regularly remind and encourage them to challenge anyone they do not recognise to identify themselves.

"ID badges should be worn at all times, by staff, students, and contractors, in support of this."