'Abrupt' health staff criticised

Some staff were described as 'dismissive' and 'abrupt'

The health service in Swansea has been criticised for poor standards of hygiene in certain areas and some staff have been described as "dismissive, abrupt and patronising".

But the Swansea NHS Trust has also won praise in specific areas such as orthopaedics and its child burns unit.

An official report recognised that the trust was planning to make changes but said managers needed to speed up the process.

The review was by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), the independent body set up to improve the quality of patient health care in the NHS.

The document said staff were found to be "caring and supportive" by some patients, but others were described as "dismissive, abrupt and patronising".

It said patient experiences were varied and the response to their needs had to be improved.

It is reassuring that CHI believe we are going in the right direction Jane Perrin, Swansea NHS Trust

The standard of cleanliness varied extensively in the trust. Some areas were well decorated, adequately equipped and clean.

But the commission also said it was concerned by the poor state of cleanliness and hygiene in some areas. There was also confusing signage and cluttered clinical areas.

Jane Perrin, chief executive of the trust, said some of the problems had been addressed.

"The trust has already put in place a number of measures to meet the main findings of the CHI report that the trust needs to integrate its services and ensure care is focused on the needs of patients, service users and carers," she said.

"We are particularly encouraged to note CHI's findings that there is confidence in the trust leadership to deliver this challenging agenda."

Bed management

"The CHI report is an important milestone along the path that the trust is taking.

"It is reassuring that CHI believe we are going in the right direction."

Urology and orthopaedic services were said to be good. But the report identified significant differences in the way the services were delivered within the trust.

The report recommends patients and the public should be encouraged to get more involved in the trust.

It also said poor bed management had helped lead to long waiting times for patients.

The trust said it had already put in place a number of measures, including new arrangements for better bed management.

The trust was set up in 1999 following the merger of trusts for Swansea, Morriston Hospital, and part of Glan-y-Mor.

It also offers services from ten health centres and clinics, and four psychiatric day centres and resource centres.