The Vale of Leven Hospital has received an excellent report from healthcare inspectors, following an unannounced visit last month.
Key findings were that staff were committed to maintaining person centred care and promoting virtual communication with families who were not able to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Staff compliance with standard infection control precautions was good and the standard of cleanliness throughout the hospital was also very good. Importantly, staff felt well supported throughout the pandemic and had received appropriate COVID-19 related education.
The inspection, by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was specifically COVID-19 related and found five areas of good practice and made no recommendations for improvement. On the day, inspectors visited wards 14, 15, Lomond ward, the Community Midwife Unit and public and staff areas.
Vale Lead Nurse and Clinical Services Manager Margaret O’Rourke said: “The Vale of Leven Hospital is an excellent facility and this report highlights just how well the staff have responded to the huge challenge presented by the pandemic. My thanks once again go to our incredible staff who have worked exceptionally hard to protect the local community in these unprecedented times.”
The report highlighted five areas of good practice:
- Cleanliness was very good
- Staff felt well supported by hospital management and infection prevention and control staff during the pandemic
- Staff wore surgical masks at all times
- All staff had received infection prevention and control and COVID specific education
- A staff member was available at the front entrance to provide guidance and directions to visitors and outpatients
Inspectors also found that staff, with whom they spoke to, had good knowledge of transmission based precautions and also witnessed staff complying with social distancing recommendations where possible.
Melanie McColgan, NHSGGC’s Clyde Director said: said: “This is an excellent review of the Vale, made in very challenging times. The COVID pandemic has made unprecedented demands on our staff and resources. Yet this report highlights just how well our staff have responded and that they have felt supported by hospital management and infection prevention and control colleagues.
“We are a great team and this report reflects that. My thanks go to all the hard working staff at the Vale for their hard work and determination during a very difficult year.”