Downe pipes woe

Downe pipes woe

9 October 2013

A CONTRACTOR has been called to clear blocked waste pipes at the £64m Downe Hospital 234 times in almost four years, according to a local politician.

Councillor Colin McGrath has claimed that as a result of the blockages, the South Eastern Trust has had to fork out almost £25,000 to address the issue.

He said it’s his understanding that the regular blockages are being caused because some of the waste pipes — which carry raw sewage and clinical waste — are the wrong size. However, the Trust says it is not aware that the waste pipes are the wrong size, but is currently undertaking an extensive CCTV survey of the hospital’s drainage network.

Councillor McGrath said he has been informed that some of the waste pipes which are blocking are six inches in diameter when they should in fact be twice this size.

He continued: “It’s my understanding that the Downe should have been equipped with 12 inch waste pipes, but pipes half this size were installed. These particular pipes are not able to cope with the demand being placed upon them, with major blockages and spillages occurring.”

Councillor McGrath said he is concerned that each time a blockage occurs a private contractor has to be contacted to clear the pipes.

“The contractor has been called out 234 times in just over four years at a cost to the public purse of nearly £25,000. This is literally money down the drain,” he declared. “These blockages should not be happening.”

Councillor McGrath said staff at the Downe are facing “difficult situations” with sewage and clinical waste blocking and spilling on a weekly basis. He said this is no working environment for staff or an appropriate clinical setting for patients.

The councillor added: “I have asked the Trust to explain how this matter occurred, what it will take to rectify the situation and what action plan it has in place to prevent this continuing waste of public money.”

A Trust spokeswoman said an initial CCTV survey of the Downe’s network of drainage pipes was commissioned when the building opened in 2009 to ensure there were no blockages that could have been caused during the construction period by building debris. This survey highlighted no major issues.

However, the spokeswoman confirmed that due to a number of subsequent incidents involving blocked pipes, the Trust’s estates department has been analysing its records to identify “specific reoccurring incidents.”

She said initial findings have indicated that between 50 and 60 per cent of the incidents are linked to mental health and dementia wards and that the blockages may be attributed to patient behaviour.

“Subsequently, the Trust is currently reviewing the type of hand towels being supplied. Previous initiatives regarding the type of products used in the Trust dramatically lowered the incidents of blockages in our other facilities,” the spokeswoman continued.

She added: “The Trust is currently undertaking a further CCTV survey of the drainage network at the Downe Hospital. Where any problematic areas are identified that may have been due to a design/construction issue, the Trust will take these back to the original project manager for the new build.

“The Trust is not aware that the wrong size of pipes have been installed. In the interim period, the Trust’s estates department will take all reasonably practicable actions to continue to manage the situation.”