Old answer to cleanliness problem

IF THE bedbugs were to bite in a hospital in the north and north-east, that might be the least of your problems. The Press and Journal’s investigation into outbreaks of pests in hospitals has revealed that wards are being invaded by millions of insects, rats and cockroaches every year.

Ants, wasps, mice, bats, millipedes, mites, silverfish, beetles, worms and crickets have all been reported at Scottish hospitals.

It seems as if there is scarcely an insect or rodent that has not set up home in a National Health Service facility.

Margaret Watt, the chairwoman of Scotland’s Patients Association, said her dog’s kennel was cleaner than the infested hospitals.

While her pet may be offended at being bracketed with such uncleanliness, her point is well made. How could health facilities be allowed to deteriorate to the point where tens of thousands of pounds are being spent on pest controllers?

It is easy to imagine the source of many of the hospital-acquired infections that are so common these days.

Whatever systems are in place for keeping hospitals clean are clearly not working and it is time for a radical overhaul of the management of wards.

But NHS managers do not need to seek a sophisticated solution. The answer is an old one – matrons and ward sisters.

Give NHS staff ownership of their workplace and responsibility for its cleanliness and the difference will be swift and staggering.