Forums Forums Local News No Visitors to Arrowe Park Hospital

Sorry Jase I get carried away. Had to say sorry to Summer few days ago!

Last year Arrowe Park Hospital closed wards down to stop the risk of infection spreading. But they did not shut the whole hospilal and only allowed public in in special cases.

Shame they cannot close it to visitors all the time. Rules on wards about how many patients are allowed to abed and use of alcogel for infection conrol are completely ignored by most visitors.

My dad was in the lung assessment unit where it is very risky to get an infection. Some patients had 8 visitors stacked around their bed.

Of course infection control is not just an issue with visitors. Despite annual Infection Cotnrol training I would say staff don't put ant of it into practice. The lung assessment unit was filthy and some staff had no regard for hygiene.

They need to go right back to basics IMHO. No uniforms worn off duty. The uniforms should be made so they can be washed at high temperature rather than just 40 degrees. And there is a lot to be said for the bow ties that the doctors used to wear - much more healthy than a normal tie trailing germs from patient to surface to patient

with softy

I thought that the wearing of ties had stopped?

That would be great if it has

Ties and nothing below the elbows - no wristwatches, jewellery (apart from a wedding band). Yes I went on the training a few times - even though I was admin without direct patient contact! I spotted so many no-no's when my dad was in. Staff are not supposed to wear lanyards anymore either - should have a badge on a clip on their uniform. I spotted a couple of nurses - including a student (who incidentally was eating while helping a patient into bed one day) who ignored the 'no dangling lanyard' rule. Then of course there were nurses who wore no ID badge at all who were therefore contravening a part of the Trust's Data Protection Act...

I could go on...cobwebs over the nurse's station in the corridor...blood caked into the hinge of a finger blood oxygen monitor (on my dad's finger), also dried blood on the wire of the monitor (which he often held in his fingers and fiddled with)...when they cleaned a bed when a patient was moved it was a farce - stripping the bed down to the mattress then wiping it with disnifected wipes - no boiling hot water and bleach, just an over-sized baby wipe! Then when they were all done this pointless little sign appeared on the table by the bed which went along the lines of: 'This area has been completely cleaned ready for the next patient'. I noticed though that under the bed was a screwed up piece of hand towel and a rubber glove.

Welcome to the Ukrainian Health Service!

Bring Back Matron !

Hattie Jacques?

To stop infection spreading would'nt it be best for a medical staff person to only wear their uniform when they are at work. Not come home with it in their car, train, bus,or taxi and risk the spread of infection

........ or in other words

Softy got the right idea. I was in hospital in '98. Remember the mass panic over the state of the place when 'matron' was due.

UPDATE: Arrowe Park Hospital: One visitor per patient may be allowed at managers' discretion


ARROWE Park Hospital says one visitor per patient once a day may be permitted at the discretion of ward managers.

Visiting restrictions were announced on Wednesday in an effort to combat the spread of the swine flu virus.

On Sunday afternoon, a senior hospital manager said that although the restrictions are still in force, one visitor may be allowed per patient: "We are hoping to restrict this to once a day and unfortunately no children will be allowed at the moment.

"However, all visits will be at the discretion of the ward managers, and anyone wishing to visit Arrowe Park Hospital should telephone in advance."

The spokesman said it is too early to say at this point when the visiting ban will be removed.

The restrictions apply to all general in-patient wards at Arrowe Park Hospital.

They will be in place until further notice and the situation is being reviewed on a daily basis.

The decision has been taken to reduce the risk of visitors with cold and flu symptoms spreading infections to patients and staff.

Some visiting restrictions also will be in place on wards in the Wirral Women and Children's Hospital on the site and visitors are asked to phone the relevant ward in advance to check the position.

The hospital can be contacted by telephoning 0151 678 5111.


THE GLOBE