Hospital ward is ‘dismal’

PATIENTS on an acute mental health ward were housed in “much neglected and dismal” conditions, inspectors found.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland also found little privacy in bedrooms on Ward 1 at Glasgow’s Parkhead Hospital.

And inspectors also noted “dated” bedroom areas, unclean windows, tired paintwork and “unkempt” curtains.

The service is to be moved to a refurbished ward at another campus next year but the inspectors called for an urgent audit of Ward 1 “to ensure that it is fit for purpose”.

The Commission visited the 20-bed adult ward in the east end of the city on May 24.

And they noted friendly and supportive interactions between ward staff and the patients.

The report said: “We heard positive comments about staff from some patients we met.

“Staff were knowledgeable about the patients when we discussed their care.”

The inspectors also highlighted good attention to patients’ physical health care needs, including full examinations on admission to the ward and routine physical health monitoring.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are pleased to note the positive comments around the care provision at Parkhead Hospital but recognise the limitations and challenges with the environment in the mental health wards there.”