New infection concerns at Hairmyres Hospital

NHS Lanarkshire said it had produced an action plan to address concerns

Health inspectors have raised concerns about deficient infection control procedures at a Lanarkshire hospital for the second time in 12 months.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) said "the majority of standards" were being followed correctly at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.

But it said that "some staff were not adhering to the expected standard infection control precautions".

NHS Lanarkshire said it had produced an action plan to address concerns.

HEI highlighted concerns about infection control procedures after carrying out an inspection visit to Hairmyres in May last year.

This resulted in 16 requirements and six recommendations being passed on to NHS Lanarkshire.

HIE carried out an unannounced inspection in April and found that, overall, the hospital was complying with standards.

'Good practice'

In particular, it noted that patients with known infections were being cared for in dedicated isolation facilities and a new domestic cleaning schedule had been introduced.

Its latest report, however, highlights that "some parts of the infection control manual were not in date" and "some staff were not adhering to the expected standard infection control precautions".

This resulted in eight requirements and one recommendation being passed to NHS Lanarkshire.

Health board chief executive Tim Davison said: "We are pleased that the inspectors recognised the improvements that we have made since their last inspection in May 2010.

"They highlighted areas of good practice where we are complying with national healthcare associated infection standards to protect patients, staff and visitors from the risk of acquiring an infection.

"The report also identified several of areas for further improvement. We have already produced an action plan to address these issues and ensure that we continue our successful record in reducing healthcare associated infections."