Ipswich Hospital has confirmed it conducted a review into caring for ‘high profile’ patients shortly after Ed Sheeran’s visit last October.

But the hospital said it was no different from any other in having policies for safeguarding confidentiality, which had been due up for review in November.

It follows reports that, while being treated for a broken arm following a cycling accident, Sheeran was asked for autographs and photos by some hospital staff.

The BBC said the hospital “launched a review” into its policy for ‘high-profile’ patients shortly afterwards.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “Like all hospitals, we have policies safeguarding confidentiality of all patients.

“If someone has a high profile because of the job or role, we have a protocol that has been in place for quite some time.

“In November, it came up for review, and a team of clinicians are currently reviewing this protocol.”