This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Poor hygiene

Story from nhs.uk

"Poor hygiene"

About: Tameside General Hospital

After being brought in by paramedics and spending approximately six hours in various areas of the hospital, i could not believe at any time was I offered hand gel to sanitize my hands. What is the point in staff continually washing their hands if patients are not offered any way of hand sanitizing. I was in terrible pain and in no fit state to be asking about hygiene practices, this surely should be done as a standard procedure. I was in triage first, then left in the X Ray department in agony with no pain relief, eventually transferred into a bay, wheeled down the corridors and then wheeled in and out of the x-ray room and back to the bay. At no time was I offered hand gel. Approximately 6 hours and no hand hygiene, this is absolutely disgusting. Also it would also be more hygienic in the present covid situation, if the same wheelchair used to push immobile patients to the exit door was wiped down with sanitizer inbetween patient use, mine was not. I only hope I do not contract covid 19 in the next 2 weeks.

More about:
nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Alexia Charnley, Head of PALS, Complaints and Candour, PALS & Complaints Team, Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHSFT 3 years ago
Alexia Charnley
Head of PALS, Complaints and Candour, PALS & Complaints Team,
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHSFT

Manager

Submitted on 08/07/2020 at 13:34
Published on Care Opinion at 13:34

Good afternoon

Thank you for sharing your experience, I am sorry that you have had cause to raise this.

Please be assured that we have shared your concerns with the Matron for Infection Prevention Control Team and Senior Leadership Team in the Emergency Department.

There are masks and hand sanitiser available for all staff and patients as it is a requirement for all individuals entering the hospital to wear a face covering in line with National Guidance and to clean their hands, as good practice. I am very sorry that this was not made available to you and you were left an extended period without hand sanitiser offered to you.

Steps have also been taken to separate patients who may be symptomatic and the department segregated. There are processes in place to ensure that equipment which is to be shared should be cleaned and I am very sorry that you did not witness this during your attendance. This is unacceptable and I am assured that this is being monitored by the Leadership Team in the Emergency Department.

Following your experience, the Senior Leadership Team for Emergency Department have also requested that Health Care Assistants based in Emergency Department offer hand sanitiser to all patients periodically. This is to reduce the possibility of other patients sharing the same experience and to facilitate hand hygiene for all patients where this is appropriate.

Once again, please accept my apologies for the experience that you have had and for the concern that this has caused you.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k