|
|
 |
| |
John Astor House |
Hospital’s digs ‘are health risk’
Accommodation shock for medical staff
CONDITIONS at an accommodation block used by University College London Hospital (UCLH) are a public health risk, medical staff living there have claimed.
More than 300 tenants of the John Astor House building in Bloomsbury, many from overseas for whom the digs are their first taste of the capital, have had to endure more than 100 days without hot water, rubbish piled high in the corridors, regular power cuts and even a flood since July last year.
Employment vacancies at UCLH are advertised around the world under the promise of “quality accommodation” in a “central location”.
Paying between £450 and £600 a month, staff say they fear that by being forced to wash their uniforms in cold water, they could be putting patients’ lives at risk. NHS infection control guidelines stipulate all staff have to wash uniforms in water of at least 60 degrees centigrade.
One nurse, who lives in the Foley Street block, said: “It’s a serious public health risk. If there’s no hot water and the electricity isn’t working, we can’t wash.”
Another tenant, a physiotherapist who recently arrived from Australia, said she had to wash body fluids from the walls of her room when she arrived.
“People get here and can’t believe their eyes,” she added.
Responsibility for the block falls to the housing association Pathmeads, who have leased it from the owners University College Hospital Trust. Pathmeads have already paid out compensation to some tenants – £64 each – for three months between July and September last year when there was no hot water.
In a joint statement with hospital officials, Pathmeads apologised to tenants and claimed there is adequate provision for nurses to wash their uniforms elsewhere.
A spokeswoman for Pathmeads said: “Disruption is as a result of essential preparatory works being undertaken by UCLH for the siting of the new Fitzrovia Community Centre. Pathmeads has a lease on the building and manages the residential accommodation there, while UCLH is responsible for the provision of heating and hot water to the whole building.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
