Hospital flowers nipped in the bud by NHS hygiene police

Published on Saturday 10 January 2009 18:53

FOR decades they have been as intrinsic a part of hospital life as bed rest and bandages.

But now flowers are being banned from wards across the country, with hospital bosses insisting they are a potential health hazard.

Scotland on Sunday can reveal that health boards, from Shetland to the Borders, have warned visitors not to say it with flowers.

NHS mandarins have issued a variety of reasons for curbing flowers, claiming vase water may harbour dangerous bugs, that bouquets can trigger allergies, spilled water can damage equipment, and even that other patients may object to their "unpleasant" smell.

In addition, one health board has banned visitors from bringing trifles, cream cakes and sandwiches into wards after labelling them "high risk" foods.

The clampdown has been criticised as disproportionate and unnecessary by politicians, health watchdogs and scientists, but health bosses insist it is a common sense measure aimed at protecting the health of patients.

Although many hospitals already ban flowers from intensive care and respiratory units, bouquets are increasingly being removed from general wards.

A spokeswoman for Shetland Health Board confirmed its policy of allowing flowers throughout its two hospitals was being reviewed.

She said: "It is possible there will be a move to restrict all flowers for infection control reasons and for health and safety reasons, given the large amount of electrical equipment positioned around beds."

NHS Borders was specific about which blooms are frowned upon, stating that lilies may be removed from wards if other patients found them "irritating".

A spokeswoman said: "The strong perfume of some flowers can be unpleasant for some people who are unwell."

Stirling-based NHS Forth Valley stops patients with certain allergies from having flowers by their bed-side, and also states which snacks can been brought in for patients in a bid to prevent food poisoning.

"Visitors are advised not to bring foods that are classed as being high risk, such as trifles, cream-filled cakes, mousses, sandwiches or meat products."

Liz Moore, health care director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, confirmed flowers were no longer allowed in some wards.

"This is due to limited space as these areas have lots of high-tech equipment and the potential irritation flowers may cause to patients in respiratory wards."

NHS Lanarkshire employs a similar policy, stating: "The advice from the infection control team would be to assess the potential risk as water in vases can harbour bacteria or could spill leading to safety hazards."

Health boards in Tayside, Lothian and the Western Isles have wards where flowers are not recommended, while NHS Highlands states they have no "blanket ban" on blooms, but notes "they can get in the way of patient care in some areas".

But Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "It would be a sad day if flowers were to be completely banned from our hospitals. Flowers are not only beneficial for patients, but they brighten up wards for visitors and staff alike. It is right for hospitals to be vigilant about infection. However, I have never heard of anyone picking up MRSA, C diff or any other hospital acquired infection from a flower."

Microbiology expert Professor Hugh Pennington also felt that banning flowers was unnecessary, stating: "There is no risk in people bringing flowers. They are therapeutic for the patient."

A spokeswoman for Window Box florists, which operates inside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said the creeping ban on flowers was damaging their business.

"There is absolutely no need, and no scientific evidence, to justify banning flowers in general wards. My understanding is that some sisters don't want flowers in their wards because it means extra work for them.

"They don't want the responsibility of having to put them into vases and changing the water every few days."

The flower seller said she and her colleagues were having to deal with increasing numbers of disgruntled customers.

"When people buy flowers and get told they can't give them to their loved one, they are understandably aggrieved and demand for their money back," she said.

The Scottish Patients Association also questioned the need for a ban. A spokeswoman said: "They are a way of showing people that you care for them and they make wards look prettier."

But NHS Grampian said it had given senior staff the power to ban flowers, and a number had done so.

Health boards in Fife, Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney and Greater Glasgow and Clyde made no comment on their policies about flowers in wards.