ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has accepted a recommendation to implement a 'special measure' to address concerns about cleanliness and hygiene within the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust (NIAS).

Twenty-one stations there were visited recently by inspectors from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), reported Derry Now.

Some were found to be in good condition, however others were inadequate in the areas of infection prevention, hygiene and cleanliness.

Two earlier unannounced inspections in July 2017 at Broadway in Belfast and Bangor ambulance station found dirty ambulances and blood-splattered equipment.

Sinn Féin spokesperson for health councillor Patricia Logue expressed concern at the RQIA's finding that 50 per cent of ambulance stations had issues with unsatisfactory hygiene.

Patricia Logue also endorsed the RQIA recommendation that a senior clinician be put in place to drive internal infection prevention in the Ambulance Service.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has said they are "committed to take all necessary steps to ensure our stations and vehicles meet the high standards required to protect the patients who use our services".