Patients at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital unable to wash for days after Scottish super-hospital ran out of clean towels
Laundry shortages at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital meant scores of patients couldn't clean themselves before surgery — and numerous beds went unchanged for days
PATIENTS at a Scottish super-hospital were unable to wash themselves after it ran out of clean towels.
Laundry shortages at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital meant scores of patients couldn't clean themselves before surgery — and numerous beds went unchanged for days.
Health chiefs blamed the hygiene scandal at the flagship Glasgow site on the busy New Year period.
But patient Elaine McCulloch, 36 — who previously battled a flesh-eating bug — said: “There is nothing super about this place.”
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The Clydebank mum, alongside other patients, was forced to use towels and blankets from home to wash and keep warm at night.
Elaine, of Clydebank, said: “The bedding has not been changed since Hogmanay and there have not been any clean towels for over 24 hours.
“No one can get washed — even those going to theatre. It’s not very infection prevention safe.
“My husband brought me my own towels but not everyone has that luxury. I have to use my own blanket as it’s been so cold at night.”
Elaine is still vulnerable to infection as she almost died from contracting necrotising fasciitis in 2005 after giving birth.
She was admitted to hospital for further treatment last Thursday.
It is understood the laundry problem hit the entire NHS health campus including the Royal Hospital for Children.
Elaine added: “The staff confirmed this to me and want the issue resolved as much as patients. They say it’s common at weekends and extremely common in holiday periods.”
Bacteriology expert Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, said: “It is common sense that patients remain as clean as possible to prevent the passing on of bugs.
“I’m surprised hospitals didn’t have a plan to ensure there was no towel shortage at this time of year.
“Not changing bed sheets would cause discomfort for patients with wounds and the related discharge.
“Where there would be a significant risk is if sheets weren’t changed between patients. I can only assume this has not happened.”
Miles Briggs, Scottish Tory health spokesman, said: “Mistakes like this will continue while the SNP fails to give the Scottish NHS the support and, crucially, the staff, it needs.”
And Lib Dem Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP branded it “unacceptable”.
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Sheets and towels are washed at off-site NHS laundries before being sorted in the hospital.
Health bosses last night said the issue is resolved.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Our hospitals have been particularly busy over the New Year and this affected laundry supplies.
“We apologise for any inconvenience while arrangements were put in place. Deliveries have now returned to normal.”
The Government said: “Ministers require the health board to assess their systems to avoid this happening again. Any attempt to suggest a lack of funding is misplaced.”
Elaine said: "I value the fact we have a NHS system and appreciate what they do with what they have but sometimes it is out of the staff’s control when issues arise.
"The staff have been amazing and they are understaffed, underpaid and overworked."
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