THE entrance to Burnley General Hospital's newly-opened Phase V development has become a haven for sneaky smokers and possibly drug addicts, it has been claimed.
A Cliviger resident, who has been visiting the multi-million pound unit on a daily basis recently, blasted the situation, saying: "Outside the entrance the pavement and gutters are filthy with cigarette ends and the pavement by the benches is black a
nd stained where people have stamped their cigarette ends out."
Just nine months ago East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, which is in charge of running the hospital, introduced a sweeping smoking ban in both its buildings and grounds for all patients, visitors and staff.
This week Trust bosses pledged to improve signs and review how they were implementing their policy, with manager Lynne Barton saying they had been experiencing problems. "For the welfare of other patients, clearly we need to ensure this does not continue," she said.
Describing the new multi-million Phase V building as a well-equipped "asset to our town", the Cliviger resident said visitors were greeted by the sight of smokers congregating on benches outside, as well as drug addicts "so stoned they were almost falling off the bench". She went on: "This sight is disgusting, some outside are patients in their dressing gowns sitting in wheelchairs smoking. These patients will then return to the ward after being sat outside in an area contaminated by smoke and whatever else is in the air – MRSA comes to mind!
"It just looks like a meeting place for smokers and druggies, the only thing missing is a 'smoke here in comfort' sign."
Reporting that nurses were sometimes afraid of using the entrance, she went on: "This new building has only been open a few months and already the outside entrance looks like it has been open for years. Remove the benches and soon. Replace them with plants or small shrubs."
Mrs Barton explained that the Trust launched its "smokefree" policy on December 1st last year to protect the health of patients, staff and visitors.
"When introducing the policy, we appreciated it might take some time to ensure everyone understands the new rules and this would be a process of continuous awareness raising with patients and staff," she said.
"We also continue to provide information and support to patients to ensure they are able to comply with the policy while they are in hospital."
