Hospital inspection was "traumatic" for staff

A HOSPITAL worker had to scrub a commode as part of a ‘traumatic’ inspection to prove NHS leaders were tackling superbugs.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent national watchdog, descended on four out of six community hospitals in Worcestershire as part of a series of surprise visits to check staff were keeping the wards, patients and equipment clean to protect against potentially deadly superbugs like MRSA and C.difficile.

The visits took place at Pershore Community Hospital, Evesham Community Hospital, Tenbury Hospital and The Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove, on Tuesday, May 25.

The results of the unannounced visits were presented to the board of NHS Worcestershire.

During the inspection commodes were taken apart to look for evidence of ‘soiling’ while inspectors finger tested dust levels and checked cleaning rotas.

Teresa French, director of provider services, said: “The inspection was incredibly thorough.

“It was quite a traumatic day for all concerned. I would like to pay tribute to staff at this point.

"They were incredibly professional and incredibly knowledgeable about the issues.”

She said the inspectors had made some suggestions for improvement, but the feedback was generally very positive especially concerning infection control standards.

The CQC has significant powers of enforcement ranging from imposing action plans to fines or even closing a service down.

But in Worcestershire there were ‘no concerns’ about 13 out of the 14 standards for infection control with the one standard drawing a ‘minor concern’.