THE NEWPORT hospital ward described as displaying "an appall-ing level of cleanliness" and of being "deeply upsetting" by inspectors has been cleaned up, staff say.

As the Argus revealed, a team from independent patients' watchdog Gwent Community Health Council (CHC) visited gynaecology ward B7 East and West in the Royal Gwent Hospital in April.

Dirt and dust were widespread, toilet and bathroom facilities were unsanitary, a bedpan and a urine specimen were left uncovered, and a patient's medical notes were not secure.

The report said: "We found the state of the ward deeply upsetting and the level of cleanliness was appalling.

"We find it hard to believe that a surgical ward could be in such a deplorable state.

"There has been a breakdown in communication and a lack of support service for this ward and nursing staff."

A letter to CHC from Gynaecology Directorate manager Mrs Val Lawrence, dated June 16, replied: "I should like to apologise for the standard of cleanliness that was found on the date of the visit.

"All personnel affected are extremely apologetic that this was the case and every effort has been made to rectify the problems identified as quickly as possible."

The letter lists the action taken, including a thorough cleaning of the ward, the removal of items stored there temporarily, and a promise that all patients' records will locked away in future and that nurses will be trained tin the operation of fire safety equipment.

Mrs Lawrence said: "I can only agree, and once again apologise, that the ward cleanliness at the time of the visit did fall short of the required standard.

"The equipment and the ward now have a rigorous cleaning programme in place which is being monitored on a regular basis by the domestic supervisor."