As we have noted before on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum, healthcare regulators the CQC and its Scottish equivalent frequently record issues with clinical and sharps waste handling, transport, and storage issues that present a reliable marker for other performance irregularities.
Most recently is the unannounced inspection at Glenrothes Hospital. Issues revealed during an unannounced Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection included, inter alia, clinical waste was being stored in cages in unlocked sluice rooms and used sharps boxes were being kept in a staff changing area while waiting to be removed.
Additionally, there were concerns about water management and Legionella control, contaminated equipment in the clinical exam room, dust and grime on table tops, water damage to walls and mould on skirting boards in the visitor toilets.
The inspectors insisted that immediate steps must be taken at Glenrothes hospital to address these matters and we need assurances that these are isolated incidents.