IPSWICH Hospital is today on alert after a tip-off that television crews are on the way to do undercover filming in the maternity unit.The hospital has received information that film crews want to do secret filming focussing on the unit's cleanliness.
IPSWICH Hospital is today on alert after a tip-off that television crews are on the way to do undercover filming in the maternity unit.
The hospital has received information that film crews want to do secret filming focussing on the unit's cleanliness.
Although the hospital cannot be sure if the anonymous tip-off is genuine, it has today put up posters around the wards to alert patients and visitors.
Chris Colbourne, head of midwifery at the trust, said: “We have no way of knowing whether this information is genuine or not.
“Protecting patients, their visitors and our own staff, is our first priority and we thought it best to share the possibility with everyone who is going to come into the unit in the coming weeks.
“There is absolutely no need for anyone to come undercover in our maternity unit, as we are always happy to welcome film crews, the media, and patient representatives into the unit.
“We have had many independent film companies and news crews in the unit throughout the past few years.
“We believe that we have high standards of cleaning in our maternity unit but we are not complacent and always striving to improve.”
Senior midwives have been asked by hospital management to display posters in all areas in the maternity unit.
All staff in the unit have also been put on alert.
Last month the hospital confessed to failing to meet two of the three core hygiene targets aimed at tackling bugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C-diff).
It said it has not met targets for infection control or healthcare environment and hygiene.
However, the hospital has recently launched a drive to cut down on infections by reducing visiting hours, improving cleaning techniques and investing £400,000.
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