BASINGSTOKE hospital was found to have breached standards to protect against hospital-acquired bugs.

A surprise Care Quality Commission inspection on October 20 discovered evidence that the trust broke safety rules aimed at protecting patients, workers and visitors from picking up potentially deadly viruses such as C-Diff and MRSA.

The health watchdog’s inspector found six of the seven commodes available in one area and four of six in another were soiled or heavily stained.

The inspector’s report read: “The trust must ensure there are effective arrangements for the appropriate decontamination of commodes.”

Cleaning schedules could also not be produced when asked for and public information on the required cleanliness standards was not displayed, the report said.

The trust has until December 4 to make improvements. The commission, however, found no concerns in 14 out of the 16 areas inspected.

Chief executive Mary Edwards, speaking at a hospital governors’ meeting, said: “We sorted those issues within hours of the visit.

“And we have put in place a written checking mechanism, so it is ongoing and not something put right when there is an inspection.”