VOTE: Builders in Worthing Hospital ward "health risk
AN angry woman who works in a doctor's surgery has hit out after seeing the "most appalling hygiene standards" at Worthing Hospital.
The woman, who has asked not to be identified because of what has happened to whistle-blowers in the NHS in the past, was waiting in a corridor outside Erringham Ward, on the fourth floor of the hospital, when workmen dressed in dirty overalls walked past her and into the ward.
"Only recently in our surgery, we have had to remove soft toys and blankets used to comfort young children because of new hygiene control procedures," she said.
"Imagine my disbelief when I saw three or four workmen get out of the lift carrying buckets of cement or plaster, all in their dirty overalls and walk into a ward where there were sick people.
Unwashed hands
"Not one of these workmen used the alcohol wash for their hands, although several doctors and nurses who passed me used it.
"It's no wonder infections are so rife in hospitals."
A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "We have strict hygiene guidelines for all external contractors.
"We apologise if they were not followed in this incident and will be speaking to the workmen directly."
Have your say
Do you think enough is done in hospitals to ensure hygiene standards are followed by all visitors, including workmen?
Vote yes or no in the panel to the right of the screen.
What do you think?
What can be done to stop visitors spreading infections in hospitals?
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Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 13 February 2012
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