Ghost sighting at Derby City General Hospital
Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:20
Updated 12pm:


HOSPITAL bosses in Derby are taking action after sightings of a ghost at Derby's new superhospital.
Staff at the City General reported seeing a “black shadow” in the medical records department.The hospital today confirmed casenote services manager Debbie Butler sent out an e-mail to staff saying she would be arranging for someone from “the cathedral” to exorcise the department.
But the hospital trust said that would not now be taking place, and that its own chaplain would be speaking to staff early next week reassure them.
An exorcism is the practice of evicting evil spirits from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed. The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a member of the clergy.

The hospital - which will officially be re-named the Derby Royal once it is fully open - said the manager had sent out the e-mail in an effort to reassure staff, but that an exorcist had not been called in.
It said it would be following its normal procedure when emotional and spiritual concerns were raised by staff or patients, which was to use its internal chaplain service.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “We will be talking to staff in the department to listen to their concerns. We respect our staff and always listen to their views to help put minds at ease.”
The Bishop of Derby’s advisor on the paranormal, Elaine Jones, said she had been in discussions with the hospital’s chaplains.
She said: “That would be normal procedure with anything regarding the paranormal whether that be a local priest or a hospital who called on me.”
She added that each case was different and she could not say how she would advise this one be dealt with until she knew more detail.
However she added her work was investigative and that she would say a prayer with the people affected but that was not an “exorcism”.
The hospital said the “black shadow” sighting was made by two members of staff.
But other press reports have claimed there have been dozens of sightings during recent weeks, worrying staff, especially in departments near the mortuary.
The original hospital was extended in the 1990s when it was built over section of a Roman Road, Rykneld Street.
The superhospital is built on the existing Derby City Hospital site.
It will be officially re-named as the Royal Derby Hospital in the coming months.