Inspectors make unannounced visit to Fife hospital

Inspectors have made an unannounced visit to Glenrothes Hospital.

They spent two days at the community hospital in July, and gave it a positive report.

Their visit had a focus on care of the elderly as they are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Inspections were stopped in March when lockdown began, but reinstated in summer after COVID-19 related outbreaks at some hospital sites.

During the two-day visit, inspectors spoke with staff and patients, and made several recommendations to NHS Fife on good practice and housekeeping.

But they were happy with what they saw.

Ian Smith, head of quality of care, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “During our inspection we found that the cleanliness of the environment was very good and there was good compliance with infection control procedures.

“All patient equipment was found to be visibly clean. However, patient furniture in some areas was worn and damaged.

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“We also found that patients were treated with dignity and respect. Personal care plans were generally completed correctly, but did not always provide sufficient detail to inform person-centred care.”

Glenrothes is a community hospital which opened in 1981.

As well as a day hospital, it has three wards providing inpatient beds for rehabilitation.

It also provides a wide range of services, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, district nurses, health visitors, podiatry, hospital pharmacy and X-ray services. 12.

At the time of the inspection, only the three inpatient wards were being used for patients and the day hospital was being utilised as a COVID-19 call handling centre.

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