Porn

Four NHS workers have been sacked in Newcastle after using hospital computers to view pornographic images.

The disciplinary hearings followed the suspension of nine staff in the summer, after an investigation by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

It is believed to centre around the graphic image of an elderly woman, taken from a foreign website.

Hospital bosses say the inquiry is ongoing and warn that further disciplinary action is a possibility.

The trust manages Newcastle's Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Obscene material

A spokeswoman said: "Nine staff were suspended as a consequence of information technology electronic surveillance systems showing cause for concern in respect of unacceptable images and text being received and then conveyed via e-mailing.

"To date four staff have been dismissed following disciplinary hearings.

"The investigation is continuing and further disciplinary action does appear to be an inevitable consequence."

She added: "The trust has a zero tolerance policy in relation to obscene and related material that is considered offensive and inappropriate in a healthcare setting."