Probe into claims of porters drinking alcohol at Western General Hospital Published duration 3 January 2014

image caption NHS Lothian has launched an investigation at the Western General Hospital

Six porters at an Edinburgh hospital have been suspended following claims they were drinking alcohol while on duty on New Year's Day.

NHS Lothian said it had launched an investigation at the Western General Hospital and was treating the incident "extremely seriously".

The porters move linen around the hospital, among other tasks, but do not have patient contact.

It has been reported that a nurse found the porters drinking in a staff room.

George Curley, NHS Lothian's director of operations, said: "We are investigating allegations into a small number of portering staff drinking alcohol whilst on duty at the Western General Hospital on Wednesday.

"NHS Lothian takes any instances of this nature extremely seriously and as a result of this incident six members of staff have been suspended, and a full investigation is under way.