STAFF at Inverclyde Royal were forced to spend weeks hand-washing dishes due to an equipment fault.

Plates and cutlery at the Greenock hospital had to be scrubbed by hand for a fortnight last month after its dishwasher broke down.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby claims that staff at the hospital are finding their jobs harder and harder due to a lack of investment and action to address faults like the broken dishwasher.

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The Labour man added: “Staff have been warning for years that the NHS is at breaking point after a lack of investment.

“It seems things have got so bad that I understand now that dishwashers in the hospital kitchen have not been working for weeks.

“This has resulted in NHS staff who are predominantly older women having to stand and wash dishes as opposed to doing other duties.

“There are also added concerns about the sterilisation of plates and cutlery.

“Our NHS staff are going above and beyond.

“Their job shouldn’t be made harder because of a lack of investment and action to fix faults.

“I hope the health board will investigate and appropriately address this issue as soon as possible.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has admitted that the dishwasher was out of action and that there was a delay in repairs being completed.

A spokesperson said: “Last month the dishwasher in the Inverclyde Royal Hospital required repairs which involved two replacement parts to be ordered and fitted by an external contractor when they became available from the supplier.

“The breakdown was reported immediately and while it did take around two weeks for it to be repaired while parts were sourced, the dishwasher has now been fixed and is once again in operation as normal.

“While the dishwasher was inoperable, our business continuity plan was implemented which in this instance meant double sink handwashing carried out in line with our infection control protocols.

“At no time was there any adverse impact on patient wellbeing or health and at no point were any issues raised by catering staff who are fully aware of contingencies which are put in place in such events.”