A TEENAGE girl was sexually abused at a Wirral hospital by TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

An investigation by Wirral Community NHS Trust found the 14-year-old was among the Mersyeside victims of the disgraced star and was abused at the former St Catherine’s Hospital in Birkenhead.

Reports released today were part of a number published by hospitals, which included the revelation that patients aged from as young as five up to 75 were abused at Leeds General Infirmary.

The Wirral patient, who originally reported the incident to police to the Metropolitan Police in November 2012 as part of Operation Yewtree, was 14 when the abuse happened in 1964.

She said Savile jumped into bed with her and touched the top of her thigh and her bottom.
Police reported a crime of “sexual touching” and in co-operation with the relevant authorities, Wirral’s NHS Trust commissioned an independent investigation.

Simon Gilby, chief executive of Wirral Community NHS Trust said: “As the report is published our thoughts are with the victim of this offence.

"It is completely unacceptable that it should have been allowed to happen and I apologise on behalf of the NHS that it was.

"Our investigation sought to establish as far as possible what happened.

"Importantly it has also been used to provide every assurance that something similar could not happen today, 50 years later.”

An investigation by Merseyscare NHS trust also looked into three alleged incidents at Moss Side Hospital in the 1970s and 1980s.

The report said that based on the accounts of victims, there is a “possibility” that abuse did occur at the Maghull hospital.

NHS England, who released a joint statement with the NHS Trust Development Authority, the Care Quality Commission and Monitor, said: “The abusive behaviour of Jimmy Savile on NHS premises described in today’s report is truly awful.

“Our sympathy is with all the victims and we acknowledge their bravery in coming forward to talk to the investigations.”

St Catherine’s Hospital was closed and fully demolished in 2012 before being replaced by a new, state-of-the-art facility in 2013.