New Zealand Ghosts & Other Haunts

Hospital calls in exorcist

Hospital bosses have called in an exorcist after workers complained they are being terrified by a ghost.

Staff at Derby's new Royal Hospital claim a black-clad cloaked figure is stalking wards and corridors, reports The Sun.

Now chiefs at the £334million NHS site are to summon a local priest to see off the 'spirit'.

Senior manager Debbie Butler wrote in an email to staff: "I'm not sure how many of you are aware that some members of staff have reported seeing a ghost.

"I'm taking it seriously as the last thing I want is staff feeling uneasy at work."

She added: "I don't want to scare anyone any more than necessary, but felt it was best I made you all aware of the situation and what we are doing about it.

"I've spoken to the Trust's chaplain and she is going to arrange for someone from the cathedral to exorcise the department."

The exorcism at the Royal, built on the site of the Derby City General Hospital, is expected within days.

Experts say the spirit could be the ghost of a Roman soldier killed on the spot where the original hospital was built in the 1920s.

A spokeswoman for Derby Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We take information from staff seriously and are working with the hospital chaplaincy to put people's minds at ease."