NI hospital hygiene 'lags behind'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8121935.stm

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Northern Ireland is lagging behind the rest of the UK in hospital hygiene, according to Unison - the union which represents many health care workers.

Patricia McKeown from the union was speaking after it was revealed that a neurosurgery ward in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital had been closed.

This followed a hygiene inspection by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Agency.

She said the issue of hospital hygiene must be addressed as soon as possible.

"Truth be told, Northern Ireland hasn't been meeting the national standard for a long time and I think every hospital would put its hand up and say that is the case.

"We've got to put the money and the resources and the training and experience, into getting this done properly," she said.