"Cleanliness"

In the past 6 weeks I have been to AMU Ninewells twice with both my parents and once with my niece. I would first of all like to compliment all the staff we have had dealings with.  

From Consultants, Junior Doctors down to the nursing staff and Healthcare Assistants I have found them all to be friendly, kind and professional.  

My issue is with general cleanliness including breaches in infection control.   My father who has cancer was admitted to AMU recently and the bay he was in was not clean. My sister had to wipe dried blood off the walking frame they gave him and we witnessed times when medical staff did not perform hand hygiene before touching patients. For someone who is immunocompromised the risk of a hospital acquired infection could have serious consequences and this was what worried me for Dad.  

I was really surprised to not see bottles of alcohol gel at the end of each patient's bed. I live in another health board area where this is standard practice and it certainly encourages staff and patients to practice good hand hygiene. I know money is tight in the health service and NHS Tayside in particular but patient safety should be paramount.