Passing infection inspection

HEALTH inspectors have called for a number of improvements at an Orkney hospital to prevent the spread of infection.

A report published yesterday by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) said the general standard of cleanliness at Balfour Hospital is very good. However, it also made a number of recommendations, including clearly defining roles and responsibilities for preventing the spread of infection, and better communication between the infection control team and staff.

HEI, which was set up to help reduce infection risk to patients, visited the hospital in November.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "HEI is subjecting Scottish hospitals to unprecedented levels of scrutiny and that can only help to drive up standards."