NHS Highland welcomes positive report
NHS Highland has welcomed the publication of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) report of the unannounced inspection visit to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, which took place on November 21, 2012.
The HEI reported that there was a good standard of cleanliness across the wards inspected.
All staff on the wards demonstrated a good understanding of infection control policies and procedures. Senior charge nurses showed good leadership and all staff were confident in their role to promote infection control practices and procedures. This included staff being confident to challenge any issues of non-compliance with standard infection control precautions or the NHSScotland dress code.
Communication and relationships between domestic services, ward staff and the infection prevention and control team were strong. The report also highlighted that there was a clear understanding of roles and accountability, good prioritisation of work and clear procedures for staff to escalate any concerns.
Chris Lyons, Director of Operations for Raigmore Hospital, said: “The unannounced visit in November was very helpful and I am really pleased with the feed-back. All staff across the hospital work very hard to deliver the standards expected. The whole team take infection control very seriously and I would like to thank them.”
Doreen Bell, Associate Clinical Director for the Surgical Division, said “The inspection team visited a number of wards throughout the hospital and communications between domestic services and ward staff was highlighted positively. Our domestic staff are involved in the ward daily safety briefing and they also meeting regularly with the nurse in charge to discuss infection control issues.”
The inspection team also asked patients their opinion on the hospital with one commenting ‘the cleanliness in the ward and the staff efficiency in dealing with all cleanliness and hygiene matters is first class, very commendable’.
The November inspection resulted in one requirement where NHS Highland must ensure that accompanying documentation for peripheral vascular catheter and central venous catheter maintenance bundles is completed.
There were also two recommendations relating to locking clinical fridges and making sure that new methods of working are communicated to, and understood, by staff.
Mrs Bell said: “Action plans are already being implemented to address any issues highlighted. These will be monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our work to bring continuous improvements.
Heidi May, Board Nurse Director, said: “This is a really good report with lots of examples of excellent team working. It is so important that patients, their families and staff have confidence in our hospitals. I am very pleased that the work which continues at Raigmore Hospital has been highlighted as good practice by the inspection team.
“NHS Highland is not complacent and the hard work does not stop here. All staff are committed to maintaining the high standards that have been reached.”
