A FAKE doctor stole a cancer patient’s purse as she lay ill in bed at Southend Hospital.

The woman even pulled out a stethoscope to emphasise her disguise as she stole £40 from the 80-year-old patient.

Police have begun an investigation into the theft and appealed for the public’s help to find the woman.

PC Ricky Rodd said: “It is especially callous that this thief is targeting patients in their hospital beds by first securing their trust by purporting to be a doctor. I would appeal to anyone who was in the hospital at around this time – did you see this woman?

“Security staff at the hospital are obviously fully aware of this issue and it appears to be an isolated incident.”

Police are investigating a possible link to a string of thefts alleged to have been committed by a woman from Canvey.

She was arrested at Thorney Bay Caravan Park, off Thorney Bay Road, in connection with a series of thefts from other hospitals in the South East when patients had been approached.

The 50-year-old, who was on the run from prison, allegedly stole house keys from people in hospitals and then burgled their empty homes.

Speaking about the latest theft, Rupert Wainwright, director of operations at Southend Hospital, said: “We are aware of this incident, which is now being dealt with by the police.

“The hospital is, by its very nature, open to members of the public and we are aware we need to be alert and vigilant at all times.

“An immediate message was put out to all staff once this unfortunate occurrence was reported. All staff are required to wear their identification badges at all times while on the hospital premises and have been reminded to challenge anyone coming into clinical areas without visible identification.”

The incident at Southend Hospital took place at 4pm on Monday, November 21. The thief was said to be in her thirties, with brown skin and spoke with a local accent. She had shoulder-length black hair and was dressed all in black.

Anyone with information can call PC Rodd at Leigh police station on 101.