The Glasgow Royal Infirmary was subject to an announced visit by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in May this year, where inspectors highlighted four areas of strength, 17 areas for improvement and one area for continuing improvement.
When inspectors returned, unannounced, on July 31 and August 1, they discovered two further areas for improvement in relation to care of people with dementia and the elderly.
Ian Smith, acting chief inspector, at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: "The main purpose was to check progress against the action plan drafted by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to address the areas for improvement from the previous inspection.
"We found that NHSGGC has made progress against certain key improvement areas. However, this inspection resulted in two additional areas for improvement."
The report reveals concerns over patient dignity. Inspectors observed one patient who was confused and was pulling their gown off.
The report says: "The curtain had been pulled around the patient to prevent them from 'exposing' themselves.
"Drawing the curtains meant the patient was isolated for a long time. We asked the nurse in charge to ensure staff found other ways of preserving the patient's dignity.
"On another ward, a patient was wearing an ill- fitting gown that exposed their back.
"The patient was clearly sitting on an incontinence pad. They were positioned next to a full-length window in a bay overlooking the corridor.
"Although this was raised with the nurse in charge, when we revisited the ward on the second day the patient was in a similar condition."
The report also highlights concerns over patients' access to washing facilities, with only two baths available for 32 patients, and just one working bath hoist.
It also urged better management of patients who are at risk of bed sores.
The areas for improvement set out in the report state that "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should take immediate action to ensure that patients who require the assistance of two members of staff are supported to use existing toilet facilities," and that the health board "must ensure that all patients admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary are assessed for the risk of developing pressure ulcers within six hours of their admission".
Rory Farrelly, acute director of nursing at NHSGGC, said: "We fully accept that there are a number of areas where we need to improve and an action plan will now be developed to implement the areas for improvement highlighted by the inspectors.
"Forty members of staff have completed a new dementia champion's course to lead and sustain change in their area."
stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk
