Dirty equipment and out of date medicines were found during a health inspection at a London hospice. 

The Care Quality Commission rated St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton Grange as ‘inadequate’ after uncovering several issues that could put patients’ safety at risk. 

Inspectors found suction pumps and resuscitation trolleys were “visibly dirty and dusty”, while some weekly cleaning checklists for portable toilets and oxygen machines were left incomplete.

There were also concerns that hygiene inspections were not routinely carried out, meaning there could be an increased risk of infection spreading. 

The report added storage areas were “cluttered”, while equipment used to move patients around the hospice was tucked away in a shower area.

One resuscitation trolley was hidden behind a desk, which inspectors said would be difficult to reach in case of an emergency. 

Expired medicines, including those needed for emergency procedures, were found at the hospice. 

Inspectors said this did not necessarily mean they would not work, but they would be “potentially less effective and therefore may not have the desired effect”. 

The report noted generic care plans were handed out in some cases, rather than tailoring them to patients’ specific needs – including levels of pain relief required. 

There were cases where staff did not regularly assess patients’ pain levels, which inspectors said was particularly damaging for those who could not speak with staff or were non-English speaking. 

Despite these issues, for which the hospice received a warning from the health watchdog, inspectors found staff showed great compassion and care towards patients and their families. 

They said there were enough staff to “care for patients and keep them safe” and patients were given enough information about the services on offer at St Luke’s. 

The report added that patients were always given enough to eat and drink and were regularly given advice about how to lead healthier lives.

In a joint statement, St Luke’s chief executive Alpana Malde and its chairman Gillian Schiller said: “We are pleased that the report recognises how valued we are by those who use our services but extremely disappointed with our overall downgrade.

“We take this very seriously and have already reviewed and improved working practices ahead of the CQC’s return visit.

“Our colleagues, patients and local community deserve nothing but the best, and we have tightened up our systems rapidly so that we can provide the highest level of care to the people that we serve.”