One in four hospitals ‘failed CQC cleanliness checks’

Posted 17/03/2010

A new report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed that many hospitals may not be taking levels of hygiene and cleanliness seriously enough, despite the publicity regarding superbugs.

After carrying out spot checks on 167 NHS trusts, it was found that 42 had breached regulations on cleanliness, which could leave them open to clinical negligence claims.

Some were found to have mouldy instruments, while 36 trusts had not been decontaminating apparatus and others had not kept clinical areas clean.

Four out of 11 trusts had failed to meet standards issued for ambulances too, with investigators discovering blood-spattered walls and dirty instruments.

However, the CQC pointed out that dramatic improvements were made soon after the mistakes were pointed out to the trusts in question.

Meanwhile, thinktank Reform has suggested that more than 30,000 beds should be cut from hospitals in England in a bid to cut NHS costs and increase the number of patients treated in their own communities.

Sandra Patton, a clinical negligence specialist solicitor at Ashtons Legal, says: “This is extremely disturbing given the government’s stated intention to tackle and reduce the horrendous problem of hospital-acquired infection.

“Good hygiene must surely be a fundamental requirement and priority for every hospital. The prospect of further cuts to budgets must raise questions about standards of hygiene once again slipping and this must not be allowed to happen”.