Ex-policeman criticises hospital

John Cooke says he was appalled by cleanliness standards

A retired senior North Wales Police officer says he discharged himself from a Denbighshire hospital because he was "appalled" by care and cleanliness.

Ex-assistant chief constable John Cooke left Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, criticising hygiene and claiming a patient was deprived of privacy.

Health officials said they tried to provide private facilities and a check had found clean and tidy patient areas.

Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust has invited him to discuss his concerns.

Mr Cooke went into hospital last Wednesday because of an abdominal problem but said he walked out the following Saturday.

Domestic staff are allocated to each ward, and in addition to having routine daily schedules of cleaning on the wards, they respond to any cleaning needs as they arise NHS trust chief executive Gren Kershaw

He described one ward toilet as disgusting, and said another patient's blood remained in a sink.

He highlighted other problems including a shower with no hot water, and a television that was out of order.

Mr Cooke said the final straw was when an ill young man was kept in the next bed on an open public ward with only screens to protect his privacy.

"I could hear his sounds and the whispered, private conversations of his relatives. He was deprived of privacy," he said.

But Mr Cooke, who is now a member of the Employment Tribunal Service, said the blame did not lie with the "dedicated" nurses and doctors.

Gren Kershaw, chief executive of Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust, said: "I am very sorry to hear that Mr Cooke's expectations were not met; we were unaware of these until contacted by the press.

"On the question of privacy, we endeavour to provide private facilities whenever possible.

"I have therefore personally requested a review of the privacy of one of our patients, although I am unable to provide more detail at this time.

"On cleanliness, domestic staff are allocated to each ward, and in addition to having routine daily schedules of cleaning on the wards, they respond to any cleaning needs as they arise.

"I have also checked on the cleanliness of our facilities, and during a spot check today, whilst the ward was very busy, the patient areas were clean and tidy.

"Although there are regular checks on cleanliness during the day, extra checks are being put in during evenings and weekends.

I would like to thank Mr Cooke for his kind comments on our doctors and nurses. If Mr Cooke would like to further discuss his concerns, we would be happy to discuss these directly with him."