Criticism over hospital's renal facilities

Facilities for renal services at Noble's Hospital have been dubbed 'not fit for purpose'.

That's the finding from the West Midlands Quality Review Service after a review in April this year. 

Reviewers identified an immediate risk within the dialysis unit which they described as a 'thoroughfare' for other patients going to clinic. 

They found patients hooked up to dialysis machines could be observed by other members of the public and conversations within the clinic rooms could be overheard. 

The clinic room - an office with a couch - which was used for 'multiple purposes' was also unable to be properly cleaned. 

The review team highlighted these issues as a risk due to the lack of infection control - it also meant there was poor privacy and dignity for patients on dialysis and in clinic. 

The Department of Health and Social Care says 'immediate action' has now been taken with outpatients asked to attend an adjacent waiting area where they are met by a member of staff.