Friday, 19 October 2007

UCATT Uncovers Dirty Ambulance Scandal

The failure to properly clean ambulances could be spreading diseases UCATT has discovered.

An internal investigation into a UCATT ambulance driver who left an ambulance in a dirty condition has revealed the lack of cleaning facilities at Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust. The union is now concerned that the problems are not isolated and could exist at other hospitals.

The problem involves the Passenger Transport Contract (non emergency ambulance services), which is outsourced to GSL, a contract worth several million pounds. There are virtually no cleaning facilities at the hospitals and ambulance drivers are expected to use the jet wash at the local Sainsbury's garage or a mop and bucket, to clean their ambulance.

In a number of cases bodily fluids including vomit and blood have been spilt in the ambulances leading to concerns that inadequate cleaning facilities could lead to the spread of diseases, including MRSA, hepatitis and AIDS.

UCATT's Eastern Regional secretary Brian Rye who represents the area has written to Mark Rees the chief executive of the Barking, Havering & Redbridge Trust, voicing his concerns. In his letter Mr Rye, said: "The obvious contamination which would ensue through the wide dispersal of any potential infection would be a risk to GSL staff as well as members of the public using any forecourt services."

The lack of cleaning facilities is most severe at the Queens Hospital in Romford, where there is only one mop and bucket available. The brand new hospital only opened late last year.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: "This case is scandalous. If we are going to get hospital infections under control, private companies who place profits before people must be outlawed from the NHS."

Local UCATT officials also report that aside from the lack of adequate cleaning facilities, many of the ambulances are in a poor state of repair, which has led on occasion to injuries to patients.

Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham, whose constituency is covered by the contract, said: "I congratulate UCATT in exposing this scandal. This is a brand new hospital it should have world class cleaning facilities. I will be taking this matter up with the Trust as a matter of urgency."