HYGIENE inspectors found patient trolleys dirty and medical staff shoes blood-stained in an unannounced visit to a Glasgow hospital.

Watchdogs from the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) examined the wards and the surgical theatre in Gartnavel General Hospital in the city's west end.

They found patient transfer trolleys and chairs in the wards and corridors that were "dirty on the undercarriages and within the groves of the trolley rails".

Inspectors found a "lack of leadership" during theatre cleaning.

Policy states that theatre staff are responsible for cleaning their own shoes which have been contaminated with bodily fluids.

But inspectors said: "In the male and female changing rooms we saw footwear contaminated with blood.

"These were stored as clean and ready for use.

Equipment used to position patient during surgery was found to be damaged and so couldn't be properly cleaned.

HEI, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, have called on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to take action to rectify the issues - with four separate requirements -"as a matter of priority".

HEI inspectors said the overall standards of cleanliness at the hospital were good and an education programme for new-starts in the theatre department was comprehensive.

Jacqui Macrae, Head of Quality of Care for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “This is our first combined inspection report to examine the wards and the theatre department in a hospital.

"We found that the standard of environmental cleanliness in the hospital was good, however we also identified areas that need to be addressed.

"For example, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde must ensure that patient transport trolleys and chairs are clean and ready for use.

"The ward inspection resulted in one requirement and the theatre inspection resulted in three requirements.

"We expect NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to address these areas as a matter of priority.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said they were " very pleased to note the number of positive findings" .

The spokeswoman added: "In particular, we were pleased with the positive feedback from patients and visitors, that the inspectors noted that communication between different staff groups and teams was generally good and staff were well informed about infection prevention and control issues. 

"There was also good compliance with the dress code and uniform policy and overall the areas inspected were found to be clean.

"However, we recognise that there are still areas we need to address and an improvement plan has been developed to ensure that the four requirements made by the HEI team are implemented."