'Serious concerns' raised after hospital inspection

"Serious concerns" were raised about the condition of a Fife hospital during an unannounced visit by inspectors in the summer.

A report into Healthcare Improvement Scotland's (HIS) visit to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy said the older part of the building was in a "very poor condition".

The ear, nose and throat ward at the hospital was closed and health board officials ordered refurbishment work following the inspectors visit in August.

The HIS report said the ward was significantly worse than other areas.

The report said the older section of the hospital, known as 'Phase One', was in "very poor condition".

It noted there were "damaged wooden surfaces, flooring and walls".

Inspectors saw a broken pipe in a patient toilet that had leaked through a wall, causing holes in the plaster and exposing a service shaft behind.

The report said that although the toilet had been blocked off by managers, they were not aware of the extent of the degradation.

Donna Maclean, the chief inspector of HIS, praised staff, saying they were responsive to patients' needs.

Patients and visitors were complimentary about staff and the care they provided, she added.

However, inspectors also had concerns about the "escalation" of the hospital's disrepair and about the "oversight and communication" that led to this.

When senior managers were informed about the concerns they "responded quickly to asses the risks" taking action and moving inpatients to another ward.

Overall they praised the NHS Fife teams' openness, setting out a plan for the problems raised by the inspection.