Glan Clwyd Hospital: Kitchens had hygiene failings

Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire was given a two-star food hygiene rating

Out-of-date food and staff not washing their hands have been highlighted by a hygiene inspection at Glan Clwyd Hospital in north Wales.

Inspectors gave the Denbighshire hospital's catering unit a food hygiene rating of two stars out of five, which means "improvement is necessary".

The report on the Bodelwyddan hospital lists almost two dozen points that need addressing in the kitchens and canteen.

Hospital officials said they had acted to address the inspection issues.

The inspection was carried out on 18 March by Denbighshire council, which is the local authority responsible for enforcing food safety standards in the area.

It found:

• Staff handling raw beef burgers and then using equipment without washing their hands

• Hand washing bowls "not in regular use" - with one in a raw meat preparation area used to store a water hose

• Two raw gammon joints nine days out-of-date in a kitchen fridge

• Three corned beef sandwiches on sale in the canteen a day after their use-by date

• Floors in the walk-in freezers were dirty

The report also raised concerns about the level of food hygiene knowledge among staff, with some food handlers unaware of the proper use of cleaning materials.

Inspectors told the hospital in its report: "It was apparent from discussions during the inspection that the level of food hygiene awareness amongst your staff was inadequate on certain important food safety matters related to their work responsibilities."

It found there was "some major non-compliance with statutory obligations" and there was a need for "more effort level" to prevent a fall in standards.

Responding to the report, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it was "disappointed" by the findings and took "health and safety very seriously in Glan Clwyd Hospital's restaurant".

"We have already actioned all the points raised in the inspection and look forward to a revisit," said a health board spokesperson.

"We would like to reassure patients, staff and public that we are committed to improving the standard of service at the restaurant."