SCOTLAND’S crisis-hit super-hospital is ferrying linen around in private cabs — sparking infection control fears.
A worker was snapped loading sheets in flimsy bags into a GlasGo taxi.
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A whistleblower took the pics at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital last weekend.
And The Scottish Sun also understands health workers have expressed concern over contamination on the three-mile drive to a washing facility.
The source said: “The bags were just filled up and chucked in the cage to be thrown in the back of a taxi by the driver.
“It’s a waste of cash but there are massive infection control issues with chucking linen that could be used by patients with vulnerable immune systems.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP described the use of private hire cabs for linen was “worrying” and a sign of increased financial pressures health boards face.
He said: “It goes without saying that health boards should be doing all they can to prevent germs and protect cancer and immune-compromised patients, so it is worrying that staff are suggesting using taxis to transport hospital laundry puts that at risk and increases the chances of infection.
“I worry that health boards are resorting to these measures because they are coming under increasing financial pressures.
“I think it’s important for the health board to explain why they are using taxis instead of specialist vehicles and for the government to ensure they are doing everything they can to support health boards.”
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Infection control at the hospital has been under scrutiny since the death of Milly Main, ten in August 2017 and of two patients from a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings in 2019.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde insisted linen was transferred using its vehicles unless in “exceptional circumstances”.
A spokesman said: “In such instances, which are extremely rare, a taxi may be authorised.
“For clarity, taxis should never be used for transportation of used linen.”
