Dementia patients at Edinburgh hospital left without duvet covers

The Royal Edinburgh Hospital has been criticised after an inspection found mental health patients had not been given covers for their duvets.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital was criticised after inspection. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The situation was described as unhygienic and a failure to treat patients with dignity.

A team from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland made an announced visit to the Jordan and Pentland wards at the hospital in Morningside. Both look after men over 65 who have been diagnosed with dementia.

The visitors’ report, said: “On Pentland ward we noted that duvet covers were not present on most beds. We were told that laundry services are no longer on site.

“This is a poor reflection on the physical environment and is also unhygienic. This does not reflect well in relation to the dignity of these patients.”

Mike Diamond, executive director of social work with the commission, said: “It’s an issue of basic care and it’s unhygienic. Anyone staying in even a low-cost hotel, if there was no duvet cover you’d not be long in going down to reception.”

Edinburgh Western Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said the situation was “absolutely unacceptable”.

Tracey McKigen, associate director of operations at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, said they were acting on the report’s recommendations.