A HEALTH board has apologised after patients were exposed to blood and faeces on hospital equipment.

Inspectors found "significant issues" with cleaning standards in all the wards and departments of Hairmyres Hospital, in Lanarkshire.

However, the problems were most severe in Ward 19, where faecal contamination was discovered on a toilet wall and on a bell to alert staff in an emergency.

Contaminated blood was also found on the underside of a patient trolley and other equipment was covered in dust and grime.

The report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland resulted in seven requirements and three recom- mendations.

The health board said it was already making, "substantial improvements," following the snap inspection by staff from the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) on October 3.

The inspection was a follow-up check after "significant concerns" were raised to senior managers within NHS Lanarkshire about the standard of cleanliness of patients' equipment and the hospital environment.

An improvement action plan was drafted by the board and inspectors returned on September 22.

Inspectors returned, again last month and found that some progress had been made but highlighted a number of ongoing hygiene concerns.

They were also critical of the procedures for the monitoring of infection control practices.

Ian Ross, Chief Executive, NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We are sorry that we fell below our own high standards of cleanliness of patient equipment and the environment at Hairmyres Hospital.

"We have acted swiftly to put in place a comprehensive action plan to address these issues. This includes making our systems more robust, so there is assurance that patient equipment is clean and ready to use.

"We are also putting in place a system of firm supervision to monitor cleaning tasks, giving us full confidence that our wards and departments are meeting a high standard of environmental cleanliness.

"I want to reassure patients and visitors that we have already made substantial improvements at Hairmyres Hospital following the HEI visits.

"Further progress against our action plan will be closely monitored by the NHS Lanarkshire Board, which is committed to ensuring all our hospitals provide a safe and clean environment."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk