NHS gets £31m for nationwide spring clean
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The modernisation of the NHS begins this week with the most traditional of healthcare tools - the mop and bucket.
The modernisation of the NHS begins this week with the most traditional of healthcare tools - the mop and bucket.
NHS managers have been ordered to spruce up their hospitals by the autumn in the first stage of a drive to make the health service more consumer-friendly. Under the £31m "Hospital clean-up" campaign, launched yesterday by Lord Hunt of King's Heath, a Health minister, NHS trusts will be given up to £150,000 to spruce up wards and entrances.
Inspection teams, including patients, will check hospitals every six months and the results will be made public, with dirty places "named and shamed".
Cleaner hospitals should also be safer, according to the National Audit Office, which found that infections acquired in hospitals caused up to 5,000 deaths a year and cost £1bn a year to treat. More than 100,000 people a year fall victim to infections while in hospital, partly caused by poor standards of hygiene.
Lord Hunt said: "A good-quality environment is essential to give a feeling of well-being and confidence in the NHS."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments