West Mid Construction not up to scratch - Dakers

1.02.36am GMT Tue 28th Feb 2006

Andrew Dakers outside West Middlesex Hospital where shoddy construction appears to have resulted from a PFI contract

A report by the local patients watchdog (the Patient and Public Involvement in Health) points to some serious shortcomings in hygiene and repair standards at the West Middlesex, following inspections at the New Year. Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokeperson for Brentford & Isleworth, has responded by calling on Ann Keen MP to explain why the government allowed the use of cheap and shoddy materials in constructing the new section of West Middlesex under a PFI contract.

The inspection team were "dismayed" at the rapid deterioration in the new building only 2.5 years after construction. Also the plumbing seemed erratic with hot water taps producing only cold water.

There were rumours of short comings in hygiene standards with dirty trolleys and work surfaces, ingrained dirt, stained and dirty toilets and examples of poor practice by staff in disposing of soiled material

Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokeperson for Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"Ann Keen MP must explain why the government allowed cheap and shoddy materials to be used in constructing the new section of West Middlesex under a PFI contract."

Vincent Cable, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, who was shown a copy of the report - on which the hospital has yet to respond - said that he was:

"particularly concerned at the deterioration of the new building, mainly because of cheap and shoddy materials.

"The future of the hospitals is financially mortgaged to pay for the Private Finance Initiative project which many of us welcomed as the only way to get the hospital rebuilt. If patients, staff and the tax payer have been short changed that is a serious matter".

"It is depressing too to read the numerous instances of poor hygiene standards after all the publicity given to the risk of hospital infections. I suspect that, with the current national panic over hospital finances, what should be an overriding focus on patient care and high professional standards is being lost somewhat".

Related Link:

The PFI contract for the redevelopment of West Middlesex University Hospital, House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (2002/3)