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Anger over 'grubby nurses' slur Anger over grubby nurses 'slur'
(about 6 hours later)
A hospital whose nurses were described as "grubby, drunken and promiscuous" has strongly criticised the Conservative peer who made the claims. A government minister and health bosses have reacted angrily to claims by a peer that nurses at Bath's Royal United Hospital were "grubby and promiscuous".
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. Health minister Ben Bradshaw said the hereditary peer, Lord Mancroft had "abused his position".
Chief executive James Scott said the peer's comments had been "damaging and distressing". The Conservative peer has been challenged by managers at Bath's Royal United Hospital to back up claims he made during a House of Lords debate.
He said no complaint had been made at the time of the stay, last August. A hospital spokesman said the claims were "damaging and distressing".
We're talking about dirty fingernails, slipshod, lazy Lord Mancroft
Hospital Chief Executive James Scott said no complaint had been made at the time of the peer's stay, last August.
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.
"The nurses that looked after me were mostly grubby," he said. "We're talking about dirty fingernails, slipshod, lazy.
"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. 'Moral standing'
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."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."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.""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."
Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "These comments are extremely unhelpful and grossly unfair on nurses across the UK who work extremely hard to provide patients with the highest standards of care.
"Where poor nursing exists it should always be challenged through the proper channels.
"If any patient has an issue with their treatment by staff they should raise this with the healthcare provider, rather than make sweeping generalisations about nurses and sexist insults about the behaviour of British women."