'Lying down' NHS staff reinstated

Staff were suspended for playing the 'lying down' game

Seven members of staff at Swindon's Great Western Hospital suspended for playing an internet game that involved them lying down have returned to work.

Great Western Hospitals Trust said it had made a decision not to dismiss any of those involved in the prank.

"We're glad the staff are back doing what they do best. They need to understand unprofessional behaviour is unacceptable," a spokeswoman said.

The images, since removed, were posted on the social networking site Facebook.

All staff are now back at work, there have been no dismissals Hospital trust spokeswoman

The game involves being pictured lying down with arms by your side and toes pointing towards the floor.

Extra points are awarded for being pictured in unusual settings.

It is understood staff were pictured lying down on the hospital's resuscitation trolleys, ward floors and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance helipad.

The suspensions followed allegations of unprofessional conduct while on night shift duty in the hospital during a weekend in August.

'Appropriate manner'

Speaking at the time, the trust said the incident had not involved patients and it was satisfied that patient care was not compromised.

"The trust has completed the disciplinary hearings for emergency department staff involved in the 'lying down' game," the spokeswoman said.

"All staff are now back at work, there have been no dismissals.

"We aim to deliver safe, high quality care for each of our patients and to achieve this we expect staff to behave in an appropriate manner at all times.

"As a hospital we want to ensure high professional standards are maintained at all times."