Hospital staff offered support over use of corrosive fluid on floors – reports
The substance could cause severe burns and permanent damage to eyes, it has been reported.
Cleaning staff who used corrosive dishwasher fluid on floors at a flagship hospital have been offered occupational health support, according to reports.
Staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital told The Times newspaper they had been told to use Suma Linos L6.8L on floors up to three years ago.
According to a safety data sheet published by the NHS, the substance “causes severe burns” and can result in “severe and permanent damage” to eyes, with personal protective equipment required for use – something staff said they were not provided.
The newspaper spoke to three sources inside the hospital, one of whom claimed the substance had been used on “wards with vulnerable patients”.
The revelation is the latest in a long list of troubles which have hit the hospital since it was opened more than a decade ago, with a public inquiry launched in part to look into deaths at the facility which NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said had a “causal connection” to the water system.
When first reported last month by the newspaper, the health board launched an investigation into the use of the substance.
Keir Greenaway, senior public sector organiser for the GMB trade union, said: “Our members have serious and legitimate concerns about being asked to use such a potentially dangerous detergent in a clearly inappropriate way.
“We have been told its use on floors was widespread around the hospital campus for a number of years and we would expect the ongoing inquiry to properly engage with domestic staff to ensure its findings reflect their experience.
“The potential risks to our members, colleagues and patients seems clear and we have urged management to ensure proper health and safety advice, guidance and any necessary checks are available as a matter of urgency.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, said: “We urgently need bosses at the QEUH to set out why this alarming situation has been allowed to happen.
“And Scottish Government ministers must work with those at the hospital campus to identify any and all outstanding safety issues so they can be swiftly rectified.”
And Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said the news “raises further serious questions about the safety of Scotland’s flagship hospital” as he urged the First Minister to step in.
“Health chiefs insisted this was an isolated incident but now we discover this detergent has potentially been used for years,” he added.
“They must urgently explain why staff and many vulnerable patients have been put at risk and how staff will now be supported.
“John Swinney cannot continue to close ranks and cover up the reality of what is happening at the Queen Elizabeth.
“He must urgently intervene and get a grip on the safety issues continuing to impact patients and staff.”
A spokesperson for NHS Glasgow and Clyde said: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is aware of concerns regarding the use of a cleaning product within areas of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus. We continue to review this matter to establish a clear understanding of the circumstances involved.
“Precautionary measures have already been put in place to ensure that the product is only used for its intended purpose, and once the review process is complete we will consider the findings and agree any necessary next steps, including further guidance, training or procedural changes.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors remains our highest priority, and we take any potential issue of this nature extremely seriously. We are committed to taking forward any lessons identified through the review process.
“We continue to engage with staff and trade union representatives, and we have implemented measures to provide support and reassurance for our staff.”