Healthcare Improvement Scotland has today (11/05) published a report on their unannounced inspection of a number of wards at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline and Whyteman’s Brae Hospital in Kirkcaldy on 08 February 2023.
Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline is the second-largest hospital in Fife and hosts older adult mental health and general adult inpatient wards, a busy day surgery service, a minor injuries unit, outpatient and diagnostic clinics as well as a huge range of community services.
Whyteman’s Brae Hospital also provides inpatient mental health care alongside a number of other community healthcare services.
Both facilities were assessed under new criteria brought in as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report of the unannounced inspection highlights a number of areas of good practice, noting that there was good compliance with linen, waste, and sharps management.
Inspectors also observed that ward staff were valuably supported by the infection prevention and control team, and that there as a cohesive approach to infection prevention and control audit processes, which were supported by senior management.
The report also noted areas where action is required, including general maintenance of the hospital buildings which had already identified as part of our ongoing maintenance programme. Many of actions outlined following the visit in February have now been addressed and completed.
Commenting on the report, NHS Fife Director of Nursing, Janette Keenan, said:
“We are pleased that Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Report recognises the efforts of our staff to maintain our patient environment, in what were very challenging circumstances.
“Furthermore, we are pleased that our staff reported being well-supported by our infection prevention and control team, who play a vital role by providing expert advice and guidance to help ensure the cleanliness of our hospitals remains at a high standard.
“We also note the improvement actions highlighted in the inspection report. Work is already underway to prioritise these actions and ensure a consistent approach across the organisation. This includes investment to improve the ward environments visited during the inspection, the planning for which began many months ago.”
The report is available in full on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website here - [LINK]
