"Dialysis unit deteriorating"

I feel that the dialysis unit, in particular the satellite unit, is starting to deteriorate. I believe there is never a unit manager on site to be able to mention the below things to and seems there is a lack of care about the equipment etc as the unit will be moving back to the main hospital soon.

Some of the things to be mentioned, based on my experience, are:

- chairs are falling apart with the arms loose and the materials ripped and torn. The chairs are also not being cleaned properly, with a build up of dust in places.

- general cleanliness of the unit where it be spider webs in the unit, cockroaches or the taps not being cleaned with mildew build up on taps (this is where the staff and patients wash their hands).

- understand there are new staff and shortages but I feel there needs to be proper training of the new staff rather than being thrown in the deep end. Training of basic things to reduce infection including hand washing etc among proper use of machines.

- I recall dialysis machines in some cases being held together with tap or blood pressure machines not working.

- no betadine most of the time so cleaning arms with saline before cannulation for patients that can’t use the wipes.

- now wanting patients to come and set up their own machines etc.

- it seems not enough staff on duty with some staff doing doubles and back to backs

I do understand nursing shortages and how tough it is for the nurses and I am not blaming nurses at all. In my opinion, management needs to step up and give the nurses the proper tools they need to carry on caring for the patients. Whether it’s a funding issue or what but I feel something needs to be addressed.