STANDARDS of cleanliness are steadily improving at the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, it was revealed this week after an inspection by the Patient Environment Team.

The hospital has been given an amber rating for its cleanliness performance. This is a huge improvement since the last inspection's red rating, which was made in 2000.

The East and North Hertfordshire Trust stated this week that it has been working hard to raise standards, investing a time and money into improvements.

One of the most significant steps taken by the trust has been an investment of £340,000.

This has been spent on raising standards at both the QEII and the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, which was also criticised in the previous inspection.

Much of the money is being spent on improving facilities at the hospitals, including the refurbishment of toilets, bathrooms and corridors, providing new furnishings, and introducing a helpdesk and rapid response teams to deal with problems.

In the previous inspection, both hospitals were placed in the bottom ten hospitals in the country for standards of cleanliness. In response to the latest report the trust has pledge to build on recent improvements.

The trust's director of nursing Debra Otte, said: "This is an enormous achievement of which we can be justly proud.

"There are some issues that will need further attention and we know that we must not be complacent."

Welwyn Hatfield District Councillor Dennis Lewis opposition health spokesman has been openly critical of conditions at the QEII in recent years. However, he also praised recent news of the hospital's improved standards.

He said: "Any news about its improvement is welcome and it's to be hoped that it goes from amber to green as soon as possible. I am sure that everybody will be very pleased with the results."

November 7, 2001 12:52

Claire Ling