Mental health ward found in ‘neglected state’

An acute ward at a Glasgow mental health hospital presented a “much neglected and dismal environment” for patients to be cared in, according to a report.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland found there were “dated” bedroom areas, unclean windows, tired paintwork and “unkempt” curtains during a visit to Ward 1 in Parkhead Hospital earlier this year. Its report also spoke of a broken lift to the ward on the day of the visit and said there was little opportunity for privacy in the bedrooms. While the report acknowledged the service is to be moved to a refurbished ward at another campus next year, the commission called for an urgent environment audit at the facility “to ensure that it is fit for purpose”.

Commission practitioners carried out an unannounced visit to the 20-bed adult ward at the Salamanca Street hospital in the east end of the city in May.

Described as a mixed sex ward, it has six single rooms with en-suite facilities and three bay areas containing a total of 14 beds.