Health / ‘Threat to hygiene’: Cat causing concerns at Lerwick hospital after repeated visits
A MISCHIEVOUS cat is causing health concerns at Gilbert Bain Hospital by frequently entering the building.
Staff have been told to encourage the local domestic cat to leave the hospital if they spot it, amid worries about infection control and allergy risks for patients.
One person who contacted Shetland News about the “persistent intruder” said they felt the cat was a “threat to hygiene” at the hospital.
They said that a member of staff had to put the cat outside twice “in spite of being spat at” by the feline, but that the cat was taking advantage of the automatic doors to return.
The cat was “apparently trying to get into patient’s beds upstairs”, they claimed.
NHS Shetland director of nursing and acute services Professor Kathleen Carolan said the cat had been a frequent visitor in recent months, particularly during colder weather.
She said that controls had been put in place to stop the cat from entering clinical areas.
“We have sought external advice from Cats Protection and our health and safety team on the best approach to deter the cat from coming into the hospital premises, as we recognise that this poses a potential infection control risk, as well as an allergy risk for staff and patients,” she said.
“Staff have been advised to encourage the cat to leave the hospital if sighted and inform main reception so the owners can be informed to arrange collection.
“We apologise for any inconvenience or distress this situation may have caused, and we ask that if visitors or patients see the cat in the hospital setting, they inform our main reception team.”
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