GBH gets clean bill of health

THE GILBERT Bain Hospital in Lerwick has been given a positive report from the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection last year.

The hospital’s standard of equipment cleanliness was judged to be high, while staff knowledge of standard infection control procedures was “good”.

The inspection, carried out on 30 November and 1 December, also found that patients gave positive feedback regarding care and cleanliness, while information around invention prevention was widely available.

Inspectors noted that improvements should be made in furthering work to prevent water ingress in the A&E unit and connecting corridors during periods of extreme weather, and having in place contingency plans if this does occur.

NHS Shetland confirmed an action plan been created to progress work in the area.

The health board’s chief executive Ralph Roberts said he was “really pleased” by the report and praised the staff working in the hospital.

“We have showed continued improvement since our last inspection in November 2013 with low infection rates and consistently positive feedback from patients about the standards of cleanliness in the hospital,” he said.

“We recognise that there is work required to prevent water ingress during periods of poor weather and will continue to prioritise this as we move into 2017/18.

“I would like to congratulate staff on this positive feedback and thank them for their work to maintain high standards of patient care and in providing a safe and clean environment.”