Doctors and nurses at Swindon's Great Western hospital face disciplinary hearings after photographs posted on internet

This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

Staff at a hospital in Swindon, including doctors, have been suspended for allegedly taking part in an internet craze known as the "lying down game" while on duty, an NHS trust said today.

Seven staff remain suspended on full pay after the alleged incident, which is said to have taken place during a night shift on August 14-15.

Doctors and nurses from the Great Western hospital's accident and emergency department and acute assessment unit photographed each other lying face down on resuscitation trolleys, ward floors and on the Wiltshire air ambulance helipad.

The pictures were then posted on social networking site Facebook, where hospital management spotted them. They have now been taken down.

The game involves lying face down with palms flat against the body and toes pointing at the ground.

Alf Troughton, medical director of Great Western Hospital NHS Trust, said disciplinary hearings would be held.

"A number of staff were suspended following allegations of unprofessional conduct while on night shift duty in the hospital during a weekend in August," he said.

"This did not involve patients and we are satisfied that at no time was patient care compromised.

"The Great Western Hospital sets high standards for staff behaviour at all times and therefore takes any such breaches extremely seriously.

"It is important to reassure patients and our workforce that this was an isolated incident and staff cover was maintained at all times."