Patients, staff and visitors at a hospital can still not drink water from taps or use it to wash for a sixth day in a row.
The west block of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, which represents approximately half of the hospital site, has had a water safety notice in place for nearly a week.
The notice inside Darent Valley Hospital
It follows reports the supply issue has prompted “horrendous” working conditions including staff having to resort to cleaning patients with wet wipes, “no clean crockery” and issues maintaining cleanliness without running water.
One patient who discharged herself commented online that nurses in Linden Ward were under immense pressure, and it “broke her heart” watching them struggle.
She praised the care she received but said the nurses and staff are having to work in “horrendous conditions”.
It’s prompted the town’s MP Jim Dickson to get involved.
Responding directly to a complaint issued online, the Labour MP said he was sorry to hear of the patient’s “distressing experience” and had written to the chief executive of the hospital to ask what plans they have in place to ensure wards can safely operate.
A Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust spokesperson said the issue arose from an internal fault within the hospital heating system
Mr Dickson told KentOnline today it was “fast becoming an urgent situation”.
“I have been in touch with the hospital management this weekend to understand the problem,” he said.
“I appreciate this is incredibly difficult for patients and staff alike. I have been reassured that portable sinks are in place to enable handwashing and bottled water is available.
“I will be speaking to the CEO this week to understand the timeline for this to be fully resolved.
“Dartford residents need to be reassured that a plan is in place for this to be swiftly dealt with. I will be working with the hospital to get these reassurances.”
Bosses first became aware of an issue on Tuesday (April 28) and on Wednesday a water safety notice was issued publicly warning people not to use certain taps until further notice.
A Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust spokesperson said earlier this week the issue arose from an internal fault within the hospital heating system “which led to potential contamination of the hot and cold water network”.
This morning (May 4), the notice was still up on the Trust’s website, marking the sixth full day of the water notice.
Previously, a spokesperson said bottled water was being distributed across affected areas for hot and cold drinks, with portable handwashing sinks in place for hand washing.
“Safe drinking water and washing facilities are available from the rest of the hospital unaffected by the disruption,” they added.
“We thank everyone for their patience while these measures remain in place to ensure safety and will be constantly reviewing our management plans over the days ahead to maintain services and plan for return of supplies.”
Another visitor, who has a family member in The Mulberry Ward, told KentOnline her father-in-law has been unable to get a cup of tea because of the water issues, despite there being bottled water.
Labour MP for Dartford Jim Dickson has raised concerns
She also said there are large queues for the toilet, and said there are delays in cleaning vulnerable patients with incontinence issues amid the lack of washing facilities.
The Trust said on Thursday the fault had been addressed and work to restore normal water service was progressing “as quickly as possible” but maintaining staff and patient safety was “our highest priority”.
The safety notice says: “We are currently managing a water supply issue affecting parts of the hospital.
“As a precaution, please do not drink water for taps or use it for washing in affected areas until further notice.
“Affected areas will have clear labels on taps to remind you not to use them.
“Alternative arrangements are in place and staff will be available to direct you to areas where it is safe to drink water and wash.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said its engineers investigated the issue but said it related to “an internal matter within the hospital’s own system”.
“We have no reports of any problems on our network affecting the hospital’s supply,” they added.