Staff at Braintree's new £130,000 X-ray department were left shocked after thieves broke in and stole vital equipment.
The thieves kicked in a door panel to gain entry, stole a £900 computer monitor and sprayed cleaning fluid over equipment.
The unit at St Michael's Hospital, Rayne Road, had to be shut and patients turned away while the damage was repaired.
Department head Richard Hammond called it a despicable act which wasted valuable resources. "It is almost the lowest of the low to steal from a hospital. Stealing is bad but when you drop to these levels, it is despicable," he said.
The new digital X-raying facilities have been installed to provide an improved service for patients.
Published Thursday July 15, 2004
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