A hospital has been criticised after an inspection found dementia patients had not been given covers for their duvets.

The hospital was accused of failing to maintain hygiene on its wards and failing to treat its patients with dignity.

But staff at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital insist that they are now acting on the inspectors' recommendations.

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A team of inspectors from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland visited the hospital's Jordan and Pentland wards.

Both wards care for men over the age of 65 who have been diagnosed with dementia.

The inspectors' report said: "On Pentland ward we noted that duvet covers were not present on most beds.

The Herald:

"We were told that laundry services are no longer on site and this had a direct impact on the amount of laundry that was delivered to the ward.

"This is a poor reflection on the physical environment and is also unhygienic. This should be raised with facilities management as soon as possible.

"This does not reflect well in relation to the dignity of these patients."

On Jordan ward, bedrooms were found to lack personalisation despite some patients having lived there for several years.

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The report recommended: "Managers should review the personalisation of patient bed areas and give consideration to further support individuals to have more personalised bed space.

"Appropriate bedding should be available for patients in Pentland ward."

Mike Diamond, executive director of social work with the commission, said: "Our emphasis is about treating people with dignity and respect.

"When you go to someone's room and it's not very well personalised and they don't even have a cover on their duvet, that kind of hits you in the face.

The Herald:

"It's an issue of basic care and it's unhygienic. Anyone staying in even a low-cost hotel, if there was no duvet cover you'd not be long in going down to reception and saying 'What's happening here?'."

Alex Cole, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Western, said: "This is further evidence that treatment of mental health on the NHS remains a Cinderella service.

"We should be dealing with mental health at the same level as physical care needs.

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"To find that some of the most vulnerable patients are facing conditions of borderline neglect over basic requirements is very troubling.

"A cross-party consensus is emerging that we need to do far more to invest in mental health at all levels.

"Clearly the first priority must be to meet the basic needs of patients."

Tracey McKigen, associate director of operations at the hospital, said: "Some beds had been stripped and were awaiting replacement duvet covers to be returned on the transporter, which had been delayed.

"However as part of new guidance, duvets are gradually being phased out to be replaced with sheets and blankets, which will in turn also ensure speedier turn around facilities."