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Anger over 'grubby nurses' slur Anger over 'grubby nurses' slur
(about 1 hour later)
Nurses' leaders have hit back at claims that staff at Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) are "grubby, drunken and promiscuous". A hospital whose nurses were described as "grubby, drunken and promiscuous" has strongly criticised the Conservative peer who made the claims.
Conservative peer Lord Mancroft told the House of Lords that nurses who treated him had "dirty fingernails and hair" amongst other things. Lord Mancroft told the House of Lords that nurses who treated him at Bath's Royal United Hospital had dirty hair and fingernails amongst other things.
The hospital said it had not received a complaint and would contact him. Chief executive James Scott said the peer's comments had been "damaging and distressing".
A spokesman from the Royal College of Nursing said the peer's experiences were not typical. He said no complaint had been made at the time of the stay, last August.
'Hardworking and dedicated'
"That's not the experience that I think hundreds of thousands of patients this morning are having when they are being cared for by nurses who are among some of the most hardworking, dedicated people we have," said Peter Carter.
During the debate on NHS patient care Lord Mancroft said it was "a miracle" he was still alive.During the debate on NHS patient care Lord Mancroft said it was "a miracle" he was still alive.
"But worst of all my Lords they were drunken and promiscuous," he told peers."But worst of all my Lords they were drunken and promiscuous," he told peers.
'Serious allegations'
"How do I know that? Because if you're a patient and you're lying in a bed, and you're being nursed from either side, they talk across you as if you're not there.""How do I know that? Because if you're a patient and you're lying in a bed, and you're being nursed from either side, they talk across you as if you're not there."
But Mr Scott said: "He has made very serious allegations against a group of dedicated, professionals who are committed to helping people in need.
"I believe it is wrong to make allegations like this without putting any evidence before us or giving us the opportunity to respond.
"If Lord Mancroft has any evidence to support these allegations or could identify the nurses against whom he has made these allegations he has a clear public duty to inform us.
"I hope Lord Mancroft will now reflect on the damage he has done to the general reputation and moral standing of the nursing profession and the impact this has had on the 1,600 nursing staff at the RUH who are extremely distressed and upset at his comments."