A bucket of urine was left in the bathroom of a hospital ward in Londonderry, a report has revealed.
Overflowing bins and an unflushed toilet were along found along with the bucket in the geriatric ward at Altnagelvin Hospital, the report by the Western Health Council said.
It also showed that some nurses had not been trained in infection control and that aprons and gloves were not available outside some rooms.
“Nurses are having to work under appalling conditions in these wards and members felt they should be commended,” it said.
Between September and December last year one death linked to the Clostridium difficile superbug has occurred at the hospital.
There were signs at the entrance to the wards urging handwashing. But it was noted that in the maternity units the tiles in the bathrooms were chipped and dirty looking.
Meanwhile a bath appeared rusty and stained and there were blood stains on a toilet floor.
However inspectors did return largely positive reports about the surgical and orthopaedic wards.
SDLP Stormont health committee MLA Tommy Gallagher said: “This is shocking that they have been so careless with some aspects of infection control and cleanliness.
“The public needs to be reassured very quickly that the hospital is taking action to address this.”
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