Psychological report ordered for Lee Woods who pretended to be nurse at Glasgow children's hospital

Psychological reports have been ordered for a man who wandered around a hospital in Glasgow pretending to be a nurse.

Lee Woods was able to navigate Queen Elizabeth University Hospital between March and July 2023.

The 28-year-old wore NHS branded clothing and was later caught in possession of a charge nurse’s badge and an NHS lanyard.

Woods accessed various areas of the hospital including the children’s accident and emergency as well as the resuscitation department.

Woods chatted with staff and even asked to borrow hand gel.

However, he was snared after a nurse practitioner noticed that Woods kept turning up despite not being a member of staff.

Woods pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to conducting himself in a disorderly manner.

He entered the court on Wednesday for sentencing while wearing an unidentified lanyard.

Sheriff Allan McKay put Woods, of Greenock, Inverclyde, on a structured deferred sentence for three months and ordered psychological reports.

He also continued Woods’ bail and added extra conditions which includes that he “does not impersonate an authority figure, does not wear uniform of any authority figure, nor advise any member of the public that he is employed in a capacity as an authority figure.”

The sheriff also stated that he is considering placing Woods on an anti social behaviour order.

The court heard Woods navigated the hospital the grounds which included the main atrium and the physio department.

He also accessed the minor injuries unit, maternity unit, the accident and emergency, the children’s accident and emergency as well as the resuscitation departments.

In early March 2023, a nurse practitioner was in the Royal Hospital for Children.

She noted a man in the nurse’s department wearing NHS uniform who walked past her and said: “Hello Natalie.”

The practitioner was unsure about who the man who was – which was later identified to be Woods.

Towards the end of March, the practitioner was made aware by other staff members that Woods had been in the hospital again.

Woods had been challenged and left.

A senior charge nurse’s attention was then drawn to Woods who was wearing a nurse’s uniform on March 24.

He had been in the resuscitation department the previous night and did not recognise him nor did other staff members. Secuity was informed.

On July 18, the practitioner was with a colleague when Woods was seen walking towards the resuscitation corridor.

Woods was recognised due to the previous incident.

Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison said: “He appeared to be wearing an NHS nurse’s outfit.

“The practitioner approached the senior charge nurse and identified to her that Woods was in the hospital again.”

Security and the police were then contacted.

The senior charge nurse entered the children’s minor unit and Woods was spotted there.

He was with the practitioner and other members of staff saying who he was and why he was there.

Ms Aitchison stated: “He said he was there to borrow alcohol hand sanitiser and he appeared to be agitated.”

Woods went to the resuscitation corridor and towards the triage where security detained him.

Woods confirmed that he did not work at the hospital.

Police attended and Woods was searched when he was found to have a variety of items.

This included a blue NHS polo shirt, navy NHS trousers, a charge nurse badge and an NHS lanyard.

Cameron McCormack, defending, told the court: “The position is that he was a volunteer at the hospital and had authority to enter that department.”

The lawyer denied having proof when questioned by Sheriff McKay.

The sheriff stated that he would fix a proof hearing to see if this is the case.

He said: “If you can proof he had authority to be there as a volunteer then so be it.

“It doesn’t explain the uniform, the lanyard, it doesn’t explain the charge nurse’s badge etc.

“If he is found to have lied to the court, it will compound matters.”

The case will recall again at the end of May.