A SCOTTISH hospital is said to be "putting patients' lives at risk" after failing to meet basic hygiene standards.
Inspectors examining Raigmore Hospital in Inverness found a catalogue of failures, from the cleanliness of toilets to staff not washing their hands.
The report carried out by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) came after hospital wards were closed on a number of occasions over Clostridium Difficile infections.
Highlands and Islands MSP Mary Scanlon said: "Putting patients' lives at risk by failing to comply with infection-control standards should be a disciplinary offence in the NHS."
The HEI carried out the spot-checks at the end of June and raised concerns over toilets and the cleanliness of patient drip-stands and monitor equipment.
Some staff were also found to not be following hand-hygiene procedures.
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: "They have provided us with a draft report which is confidential and embargoed by HEI.
"NHS Highland is not allowed to comment on the detail. However, based on the draft report many of the findings were consistent with the actions already identified through an internal review carried out in the hospital earlier in the year.
"The board received an update on this review at their last meeting. A further update will be provided to the August board meeting.
"We are already working on findings from the draft report and new issues identified are being addressed."
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