Glasgow Royal Infirmary clean but improvements required

Cleanliness standards at one of Glasgow's biggest hospitals are good but some improvements in procedures are required, according to a new report.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) found wards at Glasgow Royal Infirmary were clean and patients with infections were cared for correctly.

Concerns were raised over some areas, including a number of copies of out-of-date infection control polices.

Eight requirements for improvement were issued following the inspection.

The hospital was told to involve senior nurses when planning any building or refurbishment works on their wards.

Senior staff at the hospital said they had not been involved in refurbishment plans and said improvements for the clinical environment, which they had requested, had not been carried out as a result.

Two bathrooms, intended for patients, were being used to store equipment and clinical products.

Staff told the inspectors they were unable to regularly flush water through toilets.

The inspectors urged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to address this to ensure proper controls against Legionella bacteria.

Susan Brimelow, HEI Chief Inspector, said: "Our inspectors found a good level of cleanliness at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and that patients who had an infection were cared for correctly.

"However, improvement is required in some areas, notably in ensuring that senior charge nurses are fully involved in building and refurbishment works within their department.

"We expect that all requirements and recommendations will be addressed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the necessary improvements made, as a matter of priority."

The unannounced inspection was carried out by the HEI on 4 May.