Cleanliness priority for Scots ambulances

THE Scottish Ambulance Service has been ordered by inspectors to make a raft of changes "as a matter of priority" to help reduce the risk of hospital- acquired infections.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) found the standards of ambulance cleanliness to be good but said changes were needed to ensure infection control is "fully embedded" in the service.

HEI inspected ambulance stations and vehicles across Scotland between 6 and 9 June.

Chief inspector Susan Brimelow said: "Our inspection team found that the overall standard of cleanliness of the ambulance vehicles was good but we were not assured that infection control services are fully embedded into all aspects of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"In particular, we found poor communication between the infection control team and operational staff, and that the role of the infection control manager does not comply with national guidance.

"We expect the Scottish Ambulance Service to address these requirements as a matter of priority."

The service was told it now has 15 requirements to meet, such as regularly testing washing machines used for decontaminating uniforms and mop heads, and reviewing its policy on staff wearing wristwatches.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "Control of infection is of the highest priority across all of our operations.

"The recommendations and requirements of the report are currently being implemented and we are determined to continue to develop our practices to build on the improvements that have been achieved so far."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This report identifies areas for improvement, and we welcome the Scottish Ambulance Service's publication of a plan which will give the highest priority to addressing the issues highlighted.

"Further unannounced inspections will take place to measure progress made in tackling healthcare associated infection."