Hospital staff in smoking protest

NHS Tayside said it expected staff to comply with the policy

Staff at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital have staged a walkout in a protest over new rules on smoking.

Workers have claimed the decision by health chiefs to ban smoking within hospital grounds meant a long walk for a cigarette break.

However, NHS Tayside said it was doing its duty as a health authority, adding that it expected most people to comply with the move.

The short protest was not thought to have disrupted hospital services.

NHS Tayside said the new policy, which has now come into force, meant there would be no smoking by staff, visitors, contractors or out-patients within its buildings or grounds.

The health authority said in a statement: "We think that the majority of people will co-operate with the policy and understand that as a health promoting organisation, NHS Tayside aims to maintain a safe, healthy working environment and protect the health of patients, staff and visitors."