Cleanliness Concerns at Fife Hospital

Inspectors have raised serious'' concerns about the cleanliness of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) ward at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital.

An inspection carried out in December found dusty equipment as well as trolleys and chairs contaminated by blood and body fluids.

Concerns were also raised about dirty equipment in the intensive care unit, including intravenous pumps and syringe drivers "visibly contaminated with blood, medication, dust and enteral feed''.

Inspectors found some staff were not following the proper procedures for hand washing and discovered a "significant number'' of dirty mattresses.

Susan Brimelow, chief inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI), which was set up to help reduce the infection risk to patients, said she was "extremely disappointed'' and had escalated her concerns to the Scottish Government.