We are sorry that this member of staff remains concerned and have already written to her to reassure her of the extensive measures we are taking in response to COVID-19.
The welfare of our staff is paramount as we deal with the COVID-19 situation and we are taking every action to ensure their safety and the safety of our patients.
We maintain very high standards of cleanliness across all our hospitals including the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and our domestic staff work exceptionally hard to maintain these high standards.
Our cleaning compliance is regularly monitored internally and reported to our Board. It is also monitored externally by Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) who report the latest data on their website. The latest published data shows the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital above the 90% compliance at 94.1%.
All our hospitals also receive unannounced visits from Health Improvement Scotland and their report published in February on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital positively recognised the hospital for its cleanliness and infection control measures.
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director, Acute Services, said: “Firstly, my thanks go to each and every member of our staff for their commitment and dedication to the patients we are caring for during this extremely challenging time.
“Their welfare and safety is paramount as we deal with COVID-19.
“We are aware of the concerns raised by one of my colleagues and have written to her directly to reassure her of the measures we are taking in response to COVID-19.
“There has been a significant amount of work and effort into our approach to the current and developing situation. We are taking a wide range of measures across all our healthcare facilities to ensure the spread of the virus is minimised.
“We have introduced very strict visiting arrangements to help reduce the large number of people who access our hospitals. We have also asked that children not visit unless there are exceptional circumstances and that this has now been approved and put in place.
“Other steps we have taken include:
- the reduction of elective treatment and outpatient activity has contributed significantly to the number of people visiting our site including the QEUH;
- remote virtual consultations reducing the need for people to travel to hospital sites;
- a presence at the doors of our four Emergency Departments to manage attendances and redirect patients to more appropriate services to manage their symptoms ie Minor Injury Units.
“There are hand sanitisers strategically placed across all our hospital sites where we can maximise their benefit for staff and patients. They are outside all ward entrances, outside rooms and inside rooms and in critical areas. There are also a number of areas where they are accessible to both staff and patients across the main atrium at the QEUH.
“Our cleaning and portering staff are on site at every hospital including the QEUH and are going above and beyond their duties to ensure all areas of the hospital are being regularly cleaned.
“Everyone across the NHS in Scotland is working extremely hard to do all they can to contain the virus and minimise its impact on our residents and I am extremely proud of and humbled by the dedication and professionalism of my colleagues as we respond to one of the greatest challenges to the NHS we will experience in our careers.”