Hygiene Testing Failed For Five NI Hospitals

Eleven wards in total in five hospitals have required a further inspection into Hygiene and infection by the Regulation and Quality improvement Authority.

The five hospitals involved were The Royal Victoria and City Hospital which are both located in Belfast.

The Ulster in Dundonald, The Altnagelvin in Derry and the Craigavon Area Hospital. In the Royal Victoria Hospital, all four wards that were assessed failed the guidelines and one of the four even failed a second assessment. There were problems with three of the four wards examined in the Ulster Hospital and there were problems with two of the four wards inspected at the Belfast City Hospital. Altnagelvin Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital only had one ward each that failed to pass the guidelines of the inspection.

The Antrim Area Hospital was the only hospital in the region that didn't require a follow-up inspection.

RQIA Chief Executive, Glenn Houston said: "It is encouraging to note that follow up inspections were not required in cancer units, brain injury units, acute psychiatric wards and community hospitals."We believe that a continued focus is needed, particularly in the larger acute hospitals, to make sure that all staff take on board the message of zero tolerance of healthcare associated infection."

(CH)