A COMMUNITY hospital in Suffolk has sparked concerns about infection control and cleanliness standards on its wards.Following significant concerns about standards at the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury revealed during an audit designed to reduce health care associated infections, Suffolk Primary Care Trust commissioned an external audit.

A COMMUNITY hospital in Suffolk has sparked concerns about infection control and cleanliness standards on its wards.

Following significant concerns about standards at the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury revealed during an audit designed to reduce health care associated infections, Suffolk Primary Care Trust commissioned an external audit.

The new independent audit made a number of recommendations, including the need to upgrade hand-washing facilities on each of the three wards.

The audit also recommended the closure of eight beds on two of the wards, which were found to compromise infection control, health and safety and the privacy and dignity of patients.

PCT chief executive Carole Taylor-Brown said: “The PCT is acting on these recommendations and we have placed urgent orders to upgrade the hand-washing facilities. In addition we will close the eight beds identified at Walnuttree Hospital, starting from today. To ensure we have enough beds across West Suffolk, the PCT will open a further eight beds at Newmarket.

“The PCT's priority above all other considerations is patient safety which is why this action is necessary.”

There were no major concerns identified at community hospitals in Aldeburgh, Felixstowe and Newmarket and Bluebird Lodge at Ipswich.

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