John Carvel, social affairs editor 

Fly infestation hits hospital dialysis unit

The NHS said last night that it was continuing to treat people at a hospital unit in spite of an infestation of flies that settle on patients, staff, appliances and spilt blood.
  
  


The NHS said last night that it was continuing to treat people at a hospital unit in spite of an infestation of flies that settle on patients, staff, appliances and spilt blood.

One patient at the dialysis unit at St George's hospital in Tooting, south London, said the flies were breeding in the warm Lanesborough wing. The kidney patient, who does not want to be named for fear of prejudicing future treatment, said the infestation was "frightening".

The hospital responded with an apology to patients who were concerned about the flies, but a spokesman said there was no risk of infection.

However, the Healthcare Commission said the infestation appeared to be a breach of the NHS hygiene code. If it persisted inspectors could issue an enforcement notice and close the unit.

According to the patient the infestation began at least three months ago. The unit takes about 16 patients at a time. Sessions last about four hours and the unit takes three sets of patients a day.

The patient said: "What really gets my goat is the complacency."

An attempt was made to solve the problem by fumigating the unit a week ago, but the flies continued to cause a problem.

A hospital spokesman said: "We have had a problem with small flies in the unit recently and suspect it has to do with recent building work nearby. Our engineers and cleaners have been trying to identify the source of the problem and we hope to have eliminated it very soon. We would like to apologise to any patient who has been worried by it."

The Healthcare Commission said: "A fly infestation at a dialysis unit is unlikely to pose a direct risk to patients. However, under the Hygiene Code trusts have a duty to provide a 'clean and appropriate environment for healthcare'. If problems like this persist we would decide on the appropriate action to take."

 

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