Ipswich: All hospital wards inspected after hygiene concern raised
ipswich: Hospital bosses have taken immediate action to inspect every ward has the correct cleaning supplies, following claims cleaners were unable to disinfect wards for four days.
The trust has pledged to “fully investigate” the claims in a bid to learn what, if anything went wrong.
The move comes after the Star revealed a whistleblower’s claims that cleaning staff at the Heath Road trust were left without the germ-killing chemicals used to clean the trust from Bank Holiday Monday until last Friday.
The whistleblower claimed cleaners were left with just cold water to wash down the wards because of the lack of suitable chemicals.
The source told the Star: “The cleaners did not have chemicals, which are used to clean the wards.
“The wards were just having to be cleaned with only cold water. People don’t seem to be getting the supplies.”
But as the claims emerged, bosses at Ipswich Hospital said action was immediately taken to inspect each ward and every department at the Heath Road trust.
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A senior member of the hospital’s management team and a senior
Cath Gorman, associate director of nursing and quality said a clean hospital is a “top priority” for everyone that works at the trust.
She said: “Every ward and department was personally visited by senior colleagues to check that the correct cleaning products were available in all areas across the hospital, following the call from the Ipswich Star.
“Everything was found to be in order.
“We will look into the issues raised by ISS staff about the alleged shortage of cleaning fluid during the recent Easter holiday.
“Cleaning standards are constantly monitored throughout each day, not only by ISS supervisors, but by hospital colleagues.
“As well as these internal audits, we also have external audits and we monitor patient feedback about standards of cleanliness within the hospital. A safe, clean hospital is a top priority for all of us.”
n What do you think of the cleaning standards at Ipswich Hospital? Are you concerned? Write to health reporter Lizzie Parry at Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, e-mail lizzie.parry@archant.co.uk or call Lizzie on 01473 324739.
