07 Dec 2011
A hospital which has been hit by an outbreak of winter vomiting has been criticised by an MSP for its “lack of cleanliness”.
Deputy Presiding Officer and Labour MSP for Chryston and Coatbridge Elaine Smith is to raise questions in Parliament about the norovirus outbreak at Monklands hospital.
The MSP said she was “alarmed” that up to 100 patients and over 20 members of staff have been taken ill and non emergency operations postponed.
Ms Smith said: “Having visited the hospital in recent weeks with relatives, I was shocked by the lack of cleanliness in some areas, particularly the toilets in Accident and Emergency which I immediately reported to the staff.
“The current situation shows a deterioration in standards and that is simply not acceptable.”
The MSP urged the Scottish Government to treat the situation as a “matter of urgency” and support a clean-up of the hospital,
NHS Lanarkshire operate three hospitals with Monklands, Hairmyres in East Kilbride and Wishaw General.
Copyright Press Association 2011