Security at Wycombe Hospital needs to be stepped up because visitors are being “targeted” by beggars, a concerned patient has warned.

The High Wycombe resident – who did not want to be named – visits the hospital on Queen Alexandra Road regularly for ongoing treatment and described how around four months ago he was approached by a “well-known” beggar outside in the car park, which has left his feeling unsafe on every visit ever since.

He said: “I was approached by a man who wanted a substantial amount of money. I felt very threatened and now I don’t feel safe whenever I am on site.”

The problem is not just limited to outside the hospital – with rough sleepers also sheltering inside the building and “hassling” patients and their families for cash.

The patient said: “People are getting approached quite regularly outside the hospital and there are homeless people inside as well – it is just not on because there are very sick people in there and they are being hounded for money. They don’t need the hassle and the stress of it.”

He is now calling on Bucks Healthcare Trust – which runs a number of hospitals in the county including Wycombe Hospital – to increase security in a bid to improve the safety of patients.

He said: “They need more security in there. It is just not good enough. When I go on site I feel unsafe. There are always porters around but they are limited in what they can do in situations like this.

“You don’t feel safe at all and the number one priority should be patient safety. I can’t just sit back and watch – some needs to be done.”

A spokesman for Bucks Healthcare Trust apologised for the problem and reassured patients and visitors that the hospital is working with police.

They said: “At Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust we take the safety and security of all our patients, visitors and staff very seriously.

“We are therefore extremely sorry to hear that a visitor no longer feels safe coming to Wycombe Hospital as a result of their experience with a vagrant. 

“We would like to reassure them that the Trust is aware that a certain vagrant may use the car park there, and that we are working closely with the police and the local council to find a solution.

“Police frequently patrol Wycombe Hospital and we have our own security staff present there. We have CCTV cameras installed at the hospital so any complaint in regards to this type of issue can be recorded and any footage will be reported to the police.

“As in any public area we would advise anyone being approached by a vagrant on one of our sites not to give money and to report the incident to a member of staff, such as a receptionist, to pass on to our head of security who can then hand the matter over to the police.”