NI hospital hygiene scrutinised

The new sisters will ensure hospital wards are kept clean

Cleanliness standards at facilities in two of Northern Ireland's 18 hospital trusts are unsatisfactory, an independent report has found.

The survey by KPMG found that facilities at the Altnagelvin and South and East Belfast Trusts fell into the fourth band of cleanliness standards.

Facilities in this band are likely to have significant problems with their cleaning services, the report said.

Ward sisters are to be given a key role in ensuring that wards are clean.

The announcement was made by Health Minister Paul Goggins at the launch of the Ward Sister's Charter.

Elaine Way, chief executive of Altnagelvin Hospital, promised improvements would be made.

"There are issues around where we need the public to work with us as well," she said.

A spokesperson for South and East Belfast Trust said that it was surprised and disappointed with the report's findings.

"The trust has carried out a number of additional environmental audits since the KPMG report was completed," the spokesperson said.

"These show significantly higher levels than those recorded initially and we will be formally requesting that our facilities are re-audited as soon as possible."

Highest standards

The KPMG report found that only the Newry and Mourne Trust had sufficient standards of cleanliness, at 92%, to satisfy the criteria for the top band.

This stipulates that the trust "reflects high standards of cleanliness across almost all elements with only a few instances here where cleanliness is below standard".

Speaking at the launch of the charter, Mr Goggins said the new ward sisters would be responsible for creating "a cleanliness culture within Northern Ireland's hospitals".

"I also strongly encourage patients and the public to play their role in keeping hospitals clean," he said.

The new charter will be issued to every ward sister, charge nurse and ward manager in Northern Ireland.

Report findings

Band 1

Newry and Mourne Trust Acute and Community, 92%

Band 2

Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust Acute, 85%

Mater Infirmorum Hospital Trust Acute 84%

Sperrin Lakeland Trust Acute and Community, 84%

Craigavon and Banbridge Community Trust Community. 83%

North and West Belfast Trust Community, 82%

Band 3

Armagh and Dungannon Trust Community, 79%

Causeway Trust Acute and Community, 79%

Royal Group of Hospitals & Dental Hospital Trust Acute, 78%

Ulster Community Hospitals Trust Acute and Community, 77%

Down Lisburn Trust Acute and Community, 76%

Homefirst Community Trust Community, 76%

Greenpark Trust Acute, 75%

Belfast City Hospital Trust Acute, 74%

United Hospitals Trust Acute, 71%

Foyle Trust Community, 70%

Band 4

Altnagelvin Hospital Trust Acute, 64%

South and East Belfast Trust Community, 56%

Key

Band 1 Reflects high standards of cleanliness across almost all elements with only a few instances here where cleanliness is below standard.

Band 2 Facilities are not seriously dirty but there is room for improvement.

Band 3 Facilities are not seriously dirty but there may be more than one off failures in cleanliness indicating possible problems in managing cleaning services or with underlying problems with maintaining and refurbishing facilities.

Band 4 Facilities in this band are likely to have significant problems with their cleaning services and refurbishing issues may compound this.