HSU calls for hygiene hit-squads

The Health Services Union has called on the Bracks Government to introduce specialist hygiene squads to carry out random cleaning spot checks in our state’s hospitals.

The call comes after reports today revealed that 123 deaths in Victoria's hospitals were linked to the MRSA 'superbug'.

Mr Jeff Jackson, State Secretary of the Health Services Union said that the 'superbug' posed serious risks to the health of both patients and workers in our hospitals.

"Something has to be done to make sure our hospitals are the cleanest they can possibly be", Mr Jackson said.

"We are serious concerned about the hygiene levels in Victoria's hospitals with declining standards rapidly becoming the norm," Mr Jackson said.

Earlier this year a HSU survey found disgusting and dangerous conditions at the Box Hill and Alfred Hospitals - two of Melbourne's largest public health services. The survey revealed:

·Faecal matter on wheelchairs and blood on pieces of equipment and on floors;

·Dirty birthing and post natal rooms;

·Filthy and smelly toilets - littered with rubbish and women's sanitary items;

"Expert health professionals are urgently needed to check the hygiene levels in all of our hospitals and to make sure that our hospitals have standards of hygiene that Victorian patients deserve," Mr Jackson said.

Mr Jackson said that the hygiene check teams, introduced into the UK in June, would inspect operating theatres, patient wards outpatient areas for blood, dirt and other potential health hazards.

"The Bracks Government must also urgently address a decline in cleaning standards in hospitals with privatised cleaning services," Mr Jackson said.

"Handing over cleaning services to big business has resulted in massive staff cuts and an inevitable decline in standards - this has left patients and staff in dirty and dangerous hospital conditions.

Mr Jackson said that when Spotless took over cleaning and food services at the Alfred last April, they cut a massive 36 staff members and drastically reduced the hours of the remaining staff.

"Substandard cleaning in our hospitals is not on - it's time the Bracks Government got its shop in order and Minister Pike cleaned up the mess," Mr Jackson said.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:59 EST