Health inspectors made an unannounced visit to the Western Infirmary and found dirty commodes, thermometers, walls and cupboards.

Their report said standards of cleanliness in the hospital were "variable", with some having good levels, but in the ones where it was not good there was human waste on equipment, dirty thermometers and one patched up with sticky tape.

However, it was also noted that patients who were asked reported they thought the hospital was clean, with 81% stating their ward was always clean.

Nine wards in the 357-bed hospital were inspected: medical assessment, cardiology, stroke, nephrology (kidney disease), general medicine, orthopaedics, vascular, renal surgery, and general surgery.

Problems were found in at least five of the inspected wards during the visit in July. The list of concerns included:

l Interior surfaces of cupboards in a sluice room were dirty.

l Contamination to the walls of a clinical preparation room.

l Faecal contamination on the inside of two toilet roll dispensers.

l Dust on the under- carriage area of four patient beds.

l Contamination to the underneath of two beds.

l High level dust and cobwebs in one ward.

l Eight out of 10 blood pressure cuffs were contaminated.

l One commode had faecal contamination under the arm rest, and hair and debris trapped in the wheels, despite being marked as cleaned.

The failings were discussed with ward managers and the official report recommendations require the hospital to "ensure the standard operating procedure for the cleaning of near patient equipment is applied consistently across all wards. This will reduce the risk of infection to patients."

The report also stated: "We found some aspects of the non-clinical areas of the hospital building in a poor state of repair, with the fabric of the buildings damaged."

The hospital was praised on several points, particularly hand hygiene, and adherence to uniform codes.

Rory Farrelly, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, acute director of nursing, said: "We recognise there are still areas we need to address and a plan has been developed to ensure the requirements and recommendations made by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate are implemented."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk