Health watchdog's spot checks expose hospital cleaning failures

An investigation of 99 hospitals by the independent Healthcare Commission found that cleaning was unsatisfactory in nearly a quarter (23) of them.

The Commission, which carried out the unannounced inspections between July and September last year, also found a further 44 hospitals had "room for improvement".

It said that high standards of cleanliness were being achieved in 33 of the 99 hospitals.

The Commission selected the hospitals in order to get a mix of what were seen as likely poor and good performers. The aim was to try to understand good practice as well as identifying poor practice.

Simon Gillespie, head of operations at the Healthcare Commission said: "We have found some excellent performers. It is a myth to say all our hospitals are dirty."

Karen Jennings, head of health at public services union UNISON, agreed with the Commission that low moral and poor staffing levels were factors behind low standards, particularly in mental health hospitals.

She added: "What this government has failed to address in the past eight years is the need to have more dedicated cleaning staff."