ELDERLY patients at Glasgow's biggest hospital are being forced to use showers with no screens or locks on the door.

The city's Royal Infirmary has been ordered to improve elderly care after it was severely criticised in a damning report.

Inspectors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland found that hospital conditions did not "consistently" respect the dignity of patients, and made 17 recommendations.

They found patients in some wards could not access a toilet if they used a walking frame.

Nursing staff were heard using degrading language, describing patients as 'pleasantly confused' on three occasions. Bed rails on an adult bed were described as 'cot sides'.

In five wards there was "limited" bathing and showering facilities for patients, and where they were available they did not always preserve the dignity of patients.

In one ward there were two baths for 32 patients, and some showers had no locks or curtains.

Assessments for cognitive impairment, such as dementia and pressure ulcers, was "poor" or had not taken place.

Nor were care plans individual to patients.

The inspection noted four areas of strength, however, Bed screens were available and in use to provide treatment in privacy.

All wards had a nurse call system in use and call handsets were placed near to patients to make them accessible for patients to use.

The majority of patients (10 out of the 13 patients asked) said that they and their carers had been informed about their care.

The hospital has a dedicated Alzheimer's Scotland nurse consultant in place, who provides expert advice in complex cases.

Susan Brimelow, Healthcare Improvement Scotland Chief Inspector, said: "The environment within Glasgow Royal Infirmary does not consistently allow for the dignity of patients to be respected.

"Moreover, a number of assessments of cognitive impairment and pressure areas were poor or had not taken place, so inspectors could not be assured that the care plans were appropriate.

"We expect NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to address all the areas for improvement."

However, she did highlight areas where the hospital did well. She said: "Patients we spoke with were happy with the care they received and we observed some good interactions between staff and patients.

"However, we also found areas where improvement is required."

Anne Harkness, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Director of Rehabilitation and Assessment, said: "We fully accept that there are a number of areas where we need to improve."

"The delivery of consistent, high quality healthcare to older people across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a key priority for this health board and the report highlights a number of initiatives already in place to improve the care of older patients."

Elderly charity Age Scotland described the findings as "completely unacceptable."

A spokeman said: "The picture emerging from this report is of staff that by and large provide a good quality of care, yet with too many corners cut.

"The quality of the environment is unacceptably low; with ward clutter, lack of daylight and stimulation, and inadequate toilet and bathing facilities causes for concern.

"While most nursing staff do treat older people with dignity and respect, some need to be more mindful of the language in speaking to them and writing about them in reports.

"That some patients are wearing ill fitting and inappropriate hospital clothing is also completely unacceptable."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk