The NHS could face even greater criticism than the BBC over Jimmy Savile when “damning evidence” is revealed in the reports into his predatory sex attacks at hospitals, according to one of the lawyers representing his victims.

Liz Dux, of Slater & Gordon, said the offences on NHS property were just as bad as those committed on the BBC premises and in some cases much worse.

Further, Dux said, the number of people in the NHS who knew of Savile’s behaviour was greater — and yet they took no action. She said one victim had been assaulted while lying on a hospital trolley going to have an x-ray, and another was passing in a wheelchair when she was attacked.

“The evidence against the NHS is