AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after an elderly patient wandered out of a ward at East Lothian Community Hospital during torrential rain.

The elderly man, who was wearing pyjamas, was able to leave the hospital, in Haddington, on Saturday in the middle of a storm.

Police said they were called after the man was spotted in the street on Saturday evening. A spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for a man on Hospital Road in Haddington shortly after 6.50pm on Saturday. Officers attended and the man was left in the care of medical staff.”

The £70million new hospital has secure entrances into each of its wards.

It provides care for long-stay patients, many of whom are in a step down ward transitioning from hospital to home along with dementia care and ortho-rehabilitation patients.

Lorraine Cowan, East Lothian chief nurse, said the hospital had launched an investigation into the incident and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership was “very sorry”.

“The patient was returned safely to their ward as soon as possible,” she added.

“Patient safety is paramount and we are carrying out a thorough enquiry into the circumstances to ensure that lessons are learned.”