The cleaning situation at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy is safe and appropriate, according to NHS Fife officials. A whistle blower alleges problems with infection control and general hygiene at the Kirkcaldy hospital, according to an article on The Courier website.
The whistle blower also claimed trained domestic staff are “not being allowed to do their job by their management” because they are not allowed to clean above two meters in height. Instead, tradespeople were being asked to do cleaning.
Concerns were expressed that a new set of infection risks may be created as tradespeople may have been previously unblocking a toilet, clearing a drain, or working in a boiler house or a plant room.
“Trying to force tradesmen to do domestic and clinical cleaning tasks may result in a higher level of infection cases as they may not be as competent at doing these tasks. As they have made clear to various staff that they have no wish to do domestic tasks as this undermines the skill level of both domestic staff and tradesmen.