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Cleanliness and care

Story from nhs.uk

"Cleanliness and care"

About: Leighton Hospital

I was admitted to this hospital by ambulance the care I received from the ambulance team and in A&E was excellent, however once transferred to the ACUnit I can only describe the experience as third world, there was a spillage of fluids on the floor by the bed of the patient being moved to another ward and where I was being admitted the nurse threw towels on the floor and wiped up the mess with their foot , when challenged by the nurse who had brought me up they said they had no time to get mops out, none of the area table bedside or anywhere else was cleaned during this changeover of patients. The patient opposite me was incontinent and soiled herself throughout the night the stench was unbearable, we were offered breakfast in the morning whilst once again this patient was on the bedpan who could eat whilst that smell was so bad , the nurse said there's nothing we can do about it, they could of taken the patient out to a commode or asked us if we wanted to eat somewhere else, everyone who entered commented on the smell, I know incontinence has to be dealt with but patients need to be considered when other patients are left in soiled beds or full bedpans, this ward needs a long hard look to improve how they look after their patients.

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Responses

Response from Leighton Hospital 7 years ago
Leighton Hospital

Submitted on 22/06/2016 at 10:41
Published on nhs.uk on 23/06/2016 at 02:30

I would like to apologise for your poor patient experience on the Acute Medical Unit. Unfortunately, as the unit is an assessment area intended for patients up to the first 24 hours of admission, the area does not have a designated day room to offer patients to use at meal times.

It is appreciated that unpleasant odours in the bays, particularly at meal times, is not a good environment for patients to enjoy their meals and I would like to assure you that the staff do take steps to minimise this problem. All patients who are well enough to get out of bed for toileting purposes are encouraged to do so and taken over to the bathroom to ensure privacy and dignity.

The level of environmental hygiene is closely monitored by the Trust through monthly audit programmes and this information is reviewed to ensure that cleaning is provided to a high standard. The staff adhere to infection control policies and each bed space including the bed, chair, locker and bed table are thoroughly cleaned before a new patient is admitted. I do apologise that this does not seem to have been your experience and can assure you that your concerns have been shared with the staff on the AMU to ensure that all staff are aware of the issues you have raised.

Loraine Cornes

Matron

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