The 12 hospitals that didn't pass muster

THESE are the 12 hospitals where practice was poor, with regard to staff taking precautions to stop the spread of infection. This is what the reports said:

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

"The standard of cleaning throughout the wards and public areas inspected was very poor. There were numerous examples throughout the hospital of consistently poor cleaning and lack of attention to detail."

Monklands Hospital

"One of the main concerns raised by the inspection team was the standard of maintenance of the hospital site in relation to effective cleanliness. It was acknowledged … that Monklands Hospital is an ageing premises. However, during the inspection there were a number of observations made of surface impact damage in relation to holes in doors and walls, chipped surfaces and areas of exposed plaster."

Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline

"Throughout the wards visited, there was no evidence of a consistent approach to cleaning patient equipment, or a formal allocation of duties and responsibilities. Discussions with ward-based staff further substantiated this, with some staff unable to identify who was responsible for cleaning ward items."

Ayr Hospital

"In relation to the safe disposal of waste, the inspection team found evidence of ward staff in some areas having to use clinical waste bins in the sluice or clinical preparation room as there were not always clinical waste bins immediately available in the ward areas themselves."

Borders General Hospital

"Due to a lack of effective preventative measures and ongoing monitoring of the refurbishment works, the corridor leading to the X-ray and endoscopy departments was found to have high levels of dust."

Western General, Edinburgh

"There is an inconsistent approach to the recording of cleaning tasks across the hospital. NHS Lothian must implement a consistent sign-off procedure that will allow senior charge nurses to be assured that cleaning tasks carried out by domestic staff have been completed effectively."

Hairmyres, East Kilbride

"In accident and emergency, it was evident that patient trolleys had not been effectively deep cleaned and a build up of dust was visible. In some areas, a (particular] system is being used to indicate that patient equipment is clean and ready for re-use. However, the inspection team found patient equipment that according to the indicator tape was clean and ready for use, but was in fact dirty and unsuitable for patient use."

Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

"Although cleaning schedules were evident, there remains a lack of consistency of approach to cleaning across the hospital."

Crosshouse, Kilmarnock

"Overall, NHS Ayrshire & Arran demonstrated good compliance with standard infection control precautions, particularly relating to waste management and sharps disposal.However, on an unplanned return visit by the inspection team to ward 2F, doors on isolation rooms had been left open and an overflowing linen bag was found."

Arran War Memorial Hospital

"Wards and clinical areas have individual cleaning specifications for patient equipment with staff responsibilities clearly defined. However, there was no consistent approach to the retention of cleaning schedules.

St John's, Livingston

"In 10 out of the 11 areas inspected the standard of cleanliness was found to be good… However, the inspection team noted that cleaning in ward 21 needs to be brought up to the standard of other wards. In particular, with regard to high and low level dusting; the cleaning of window sills, panes and ledges; cupboard interiors; dirty/dusty floor corners; and equipment for storing food."

Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

"During an inspection of the medical ward, three mattresses were checked. Two were found to be stained."

• In 11 hospitals, policies on the wards were not up to date - Stirling Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Royal, Dumfries and Galloway Royal, Ninewells in Dundee, Balfour Hospital on Orkney, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, Hairmyres in East Kilbride, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Victoria in Kirkcaldy and Western Isles Hospital.

n In 12 hospitals, infection control teams did not communicate effectively with staff and senior management - Dumfries and Galloway, Monklands, Balfour, Gilbert Bain Hospital on Shetland, Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Ayr Hospital, Borders General, Western General in Edinburgh, Hairmyres, Caithness General and St John's in Livingston.