Late end to hospitals’ deep clean

Tuesday 22nd April 2008, 10:50PM BST.

hospital-corridoor.jpgDudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust is the only one in the West Midlands not to have completed its deep cleaning programme as part of a national drive to wipe out the threat of killer superbugs like MRSA.

It is one of only nine trusts around the country which have failed to meet the March 31 deadline.

But Paul Farenden, chief executive of the trust, said today they were on track to complete the deep clean by the end of this month.

A total of 328 trusts have  undertaking the cleaning process.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson released the information to MPs in a written  statement yesterday.

He said there were valid reasons for the delays at some of the trusts, such as significant refurbishments or reasons relating to patient safety.

Mr Farenden said his trust had already completed around 75 per cent of the programme.

He said: “The trust always has patient safety and privacy as its primary concern and a slight delay has been incurred while ensuring this is maintained.

“It has also taken longer than originally anticipated to clean each ward.

“Matrons have also been asked to check each ward  once completed and confirm that the deep clean has been carried out to the standard that we expect. Cleanliness is a top priority.”

News that the trust has failed to meet the deadline comes just a week after it was revealed cleaning shifts could be cut at the group’s Russells Hall Hospital.

Interserve Health, the external company responsible for cleaning the hospital has proposed introducing a new shift operating between 8am and 4pm with a rapid response team on call from 4.30pm to 8pm.  

However the plan has been criticised by those claiming there will be no one cleaning during the night.


  1. 1
    phil

    alan johnson saig there are valid reasons they arnt complete could it be that mysterious enigma global warming

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    deborah

    my dad passed away 2weeks ago from c diff ,he was been treated in new cross hospital ,we seen a lot of cross infection by nurses,no gloves,no hand washing ,no approns ,soiled bedding left on floors we were appauled ,whats the use of deep cleaning when other people do,nt keep it up 2 standard,broken hearted reader .
    rip dad x

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Dudley bloke

    Johnson said the reason for delays was “Related to patients safety”

    Deeerrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

    I thought the MAIN reason for doing a deep clean WAS to make it SAFER for patients.

    Doesn’t his statement proove Him his party and the management want replacing.

    If cleanliness was a top priority they would TELL the private cleaning company to get off there back sides, get it done, and not talk about reducing cleaning times untill the superbugs are drastically reduced.

    Mr Johnson we don’t want more spin, there are still folk dying from these bugs so patients want action.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Dudley bloke

    Just read Deborah’s message.

    “no gloves,no hand washing ,no approns ,soiled bedding left on floors”

    What the hell is going on if this is still happening.

    Sorry to hear of your loss Deborah.

    I would send this information to your MP and send a letter to Mr Johnson with all the facts so they can do what we pay them for.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Helena

    Russels Hall Hospital is a blinding disgrace because it is filthy! I Dont mind saying it if no one else will! What kind of hospital cleaning is 8am – 4pm? It should be 24/7!
    My friend husband died in there 2 years ago MRSA and my other friend was in a coma for 2 months C DIF..
    We want hospital wards long and straight so the nurse in charge can see everyone at a glance, not sticking people in MIXED bays of 4 – I dont want some male in a bed near me when I am sick – it doesnt aid recovery you know! and I’m quite sure men dont want women around when they are recovering either!
    PC correctness and continually messing with our systems will bring this country to its knees…
    Mr Farenden was in charge in 98 and the hospital was filthy then – 10 years later its still a filthy infected hospital – you do the math!

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    BRUCE THOMSON

    WHY ALWAYS DUDLEY ?

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Phil H

    I have a great idea. How about we spend billions of taxpayers money building a SUPER HOSPITAL COMPLEX is sandwell and dudley, that way they can poison millions instead of thousands… oh yeah silly me they already aproved that idea.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Bob

    When Ward Sisters and Matrons controlled the ward environment things were fine. When control passed to jumped up office boys and girls we got the mess we are in. Fewer managers and more workers.

    Report abuse



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