UK Hospitals in Critical Condition…

NHS Hospitals have been ordered to return to basic standards of hygiene and cleanliness after 1 in 3 failed recent hygiene inspections.

Out of the 700 buildings assessed, 250 were awarded the lowest possible grade for cleanliness.

The inspections were ordered after a report by the house of commons public accounts committee estimating 5,000 patients die each year after contracting infections whilst staying in an NHS hospital. Doctors and nurses have previously been accused of poor personal hygiene practice, whilst the report found further evidence of dirty linen, uncollected rubbish, food and clinical waste on NHS wards.

Hospital managers are blaming a legacy of years of under-investment, both political parties blame each other whilst some look to the new system of management within the NHS. As the new system strives to promote cost-cutting and greater efficiency, NHS managers have turned to areas which "do not directly affect patient care" with cleaning and catering budgets being the first to go.

Tuesday, 30 January 2001