A shocking report into the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff revealed pigeons were found in trauma theatres among a raft of other serious concerns at the NHS facility
Pigeons were found in the trauma theatre at one of the country’s biggest hospitals, according to a shocking report.
The 22-page review into operating theatres at Wales’ biggest hospital, University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, uncovered concerns around several aspects of the surgery spaces. It revealed staff felt serious problems were not dealt with by leaders. Some of these worries pointed to the uncleanliness and disrepair of these crucial spaces in the hospital. The report highlights “several occasions when pigeons were found in trauma theatre or on the theatre corridor” as part of wider concern for the cleanliness of the operating space.
It reads: “The department’s repair and cleanliness standards are below what is expected for a modern theatre suite. There are significant delays in fixing leaks and essential equipment. Poor lighting in some theatres makes operations challenging, while cluttered corridors highlight insufficient storage. Leaks in corridors may reduce patient confidence.”
One particular infection outbreak triggered audits which revealed “issues with theatre practices”, WalesOnline reports. Staff also raised worries that high standards were not being maintained and pushed in the operating spaces, partially leading to the alleged infection issues.
Many employees felt the hospital missed “old school matrons who maintained the standards”. The report found that staff had major issues with the attitudes and behaviour of workers in the theatres.
This included reports that anaesthetic practitioners did not stay in the operating theatres throughout surgery and would sometimes instead be in the anaesthetic room on their phones or watching Netflix. The health board told WalesOnline: “It’s not appropriate for them to be watching Netflix in a clinical environment and those issues have been picked up and dealt with.”
Behaviour issues appeared to extend to staff in cardiac theatres which “does not appear to be a compassionate place to work”. The report found concerns over inadequate breaks and a “push to do more with fewer resources”. It told the hospital to “return to basic principles for safe staffing”.
It added that operations “frequently start late” and the surgical department sometimes failed to achieve “effective turnaround times between cases”. The bombshell report even said it was understood an illegal drug, Class B amphetamine known as speed, was found in a staff member’s locker.
“There is a perception that there are no consequences for poor behaviour and no boundaries,” the report reads. “The reviewers heard that there was an investigation into illegal drugs being found in a staff locker and despite this many were unhappy that there appeared to be no consequences, and their colleague remained in the workplace.”
The health board told WalesOnline there had been a “full disciplinary process” for that member of staff, although they continue to work in the hospital. A police investigation did not lead to a conviction.
The health board’s chief operating officer Paul Bostock, who has been in post since 2022, accepted the recommendations in full: “It’s a difficult read but it’s really important that people have felt able to tell us what they think are the issues. I make an unreserved apology to any members of staff not treated with compassion and respect. The fact we’re having this conversation today is to demonstrate we want full transparency. We have nothing to hide.”
Addressing the maintenance problems plaguing the site – including leaks and lighting issues – Mr Bostock said several issues were already being addressed but that “where there is a fundamental structural thing we’re going to need help from Welsh Government”.