Fife: Patients moved as ward was 'in very poor condition'

Healthcare Improvement Scotland made an unannounced visit to the Kirkcaldy site between July 31 and August 2 and publicised their findings today.

Their report highlighted "serious concerns" about the condition of the building and stated that it was in “very poor condition”, with the inspection leading to the immediate closure of the ear nose and throat ward.    

After health chiefs at NHS Fife were informed of the inspection’s concerns, inpatients were moved to another ward. 

“During the inspection, we saw that staff were responsive to patients’ needs, and patients and visitors were complimentary about staff and the care they provided.

"Staff told us they felt supported and listened to by senior managers,” Donna Maclean, the chief inspector, said.

“However, we were required to raise serious concerns about the condition of the healthcare environment within the older building of the hospital known as ‘Phase One’, which was in very poor condition, with one ward significantly worse than other areas.” 

Phase one is the 1950s-built block, a category C-listed building, which faces onto Hayfield Road.

Patients were moved to another part of Victoria Hospital after inspectors flagged up 'serious concerns'.

She continued: “We had concerns about the oversight, communication and escalation process in relation to the condition of this environment.

"We informed senior hospital managers of our serious concerns and they responded quickly to assess the risks and took immediate action, including moving inpatients to another ward.” 

The chief inspector added: "To follow up on these concerns we carried out a return visit on Monday, August 14, and also held a number of discussion sessions with NHS Fife senior managers.

"We raised further serious concerns relating to the planned preventative maintenance system to ensure the environment remains safe, fit for purpose and includes testing of safety equipment such as fire doors, smoke dampers and ventilation and water safety testing.

"Again, senior managers responded quickly and took immediate action to address our concerns, and ensure any lessons learned are communicated and actioned across the NHS board."

Other areas of improvement identified included the systems in place to ensure staff act on patients’ early warning scores to carry out further vital observations, as well as hand hygiene, safe storage of cleaning products and patient dignity when being moved around the hospital.

“Throughout the inspections and discussions, NHS Fife staff teams and senior managers have been open and responsive to the inspection findings and the concerns raised with them,” Ms Maclean said. 

NHS Fife said the hospital was assessed under new criteria brought in following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It also highlighted the areas of good practice that are recognised in the report; healthcare staff were responsive to patients’ needs and the friendly and respectful interactions that were observed between patients and staff, and between colleagues.

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The inspection found four areas of good practice and resulted in two recommendations and nine requirements where action is required within the hospital, and NHS Fife said work is underway to address these issues quickly, with some actions already completed.

NHS Fife director of nursing, Janette Keenan, said: “The unannounced inspection of the Victoria Hospital was extensive, with the Healthcare Improvement Scotland team visiting 19 different wards and areas across three days.

"We are pleased that the report of the inspection recognises the efforts of our staff, who in particularly challenging circumstances continue to be responsive to the needs of those in our care.

"Furthermore, we are also pleased that patients and their loved ones were complimentary about the care they received.”

She continued: “A number of improvement actions were also highlighted in the inspection report and work has already began to address and rectify these areas.”