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Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Outcome of inspections at 8 Glasgow homeless hotels revealed
In May, the Glasgow Times reported how the council revealed it had begun an environmental health inspection programme on the hotels and B&Bs and a number of issues were highlighted. The Glasgow Times requested copies of the reports, which uncovered a catalogue of health and safety concerns. Eight hotels were inspected over five months, which were follow-ups to previous visits when concerns were identified and action requested. The issues found within the initial inspections for each hotel show some hotels in a worse state than others but each had problems Last year the Glasgow Times started the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign, highlighting the experiences of people who had lived in the hotels. READ NEXT: End the Homeless Hotel Shame In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. Following the inspections, Pat Togher, Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership, said owners welcomed and embraced the recommendations. He said: 'They have reacted quickly to address any issues highlighted to them following the inspections.' Inspections undertaken focused on: Management of Legionella; Asbestos Management Plans; Health & Safety; Management of Hazardous substances; Inspection Checklists; Cleanliness; Pest control; Management of Falls from Height; Window Restrictors etc. Rennie Mackintosh Hotel in Union Street was inspected on April 5, 2024, a revisit after one in February 2024. (Image: Robert Perry) The report found: 'Pest activity noted by a contractor, further highlighted by Police Scotland who indicated that mouse or rat droppings had been observed. 'Most recent pest control reports highlighted a number of areas where pests could gain access and that these require to be filled in.' READ NEXT: We fact check the claim no-one uses Glasgow's new cycle lanes. A number of bedrooms were visited during the inspection and found to be in a generally satisfactory condition. However, the following issues were identified whilst inspecting this small sample: 'Mould on the wall within the en-suite; tap at the wash hand basin loose and moving around. 'Bedroom door damaged; mould within the shower area. 'Scorch mark on bedding, bedding dirty, flooring within en-suite damaged. • 'Some bathroom floor tiles damaged, drawers damaged.' It was also noted: 'Needles and syringes had been found by staff, and a blood-stained mattress was seen. And it was reported: 'Staff can be exposed to episodes of violent and aggressive behaviour from clients.' READ NEXT:Women in Glasgow jail get food spending cut by 25 per cent Smith's Hotel Sauchiehall Street, Kelvingrove was inspected on December 12, 2024 and March 7, 2025. A previous inspection had taken place on November 11, 2024. During the inspection it was noted there had been 'a significant number of recorded visits to the hotel by a Pest Control Contractor' following complaints from residents about pest activity or bed bugs. The hotel was told: 'Consequently, you require to take additional proactive measures to address the issue whereby pests are gaining access to the Hotel. 'I would suggest that the Pest Control Contractor carries out a comprehensive survey to identify potential access points and to take appropriate action to have these areas adequately sealed.' Ten bedrooms were inspected, with the following issues identified within a number of rooms: 'No restrictors on any windows within the rooms to prevent a person from falling a distance out of the window. 'An electric bike was located. 'A number of rooms were affected by the storage of large quantities of food (including open food) and also the storage of suitcases, clothing, and electric items. 'A number of the shower heads within some of the rooms were extremely dirty and require immediate cleaning and disinfection. 'In addition to this, there was damaged and dirty sealant around the base of shower cubicles, which require to be repaired and/or cleaned/disinfected.' 'Bed bugs were found within bed linen', and 'this room required to be vacated and treated as a matter of urgency.' READ NEXT:Report warns Glasgow's Barlinnie prison breaches this UN rule Queens Park Hotel Balvicar Drive, in the Southside, was inspected in June 2023, a revisit after a May 12, 2023 visit. It had found damaged floor tiles. In some rooms, 'bedding was dirty (blood stains were evident on some bedding)'. A bed frame and a chair were damaged. Rooms were dirty (e.g., window sills, walls, floors, below mattresses, behind beds). The inspector reported: 'During discussions with one of the cleaners, it was identified that he could come across 20-25 needles per week when cleaning rooms and in one room recently came across 10 needles.' Cleaners were not aware of procedures for dealing with sharps. During the inspection, blood was observed on a bed sheet and blood splattering on a room wall. It stated 'This type of contamination is considered as hazardous.' Alexander Thomson Hotel Argyle Street, with 161 rooms, is one of the biggest used by the council for homeless people, with up to 200 people accommodated there. (Image: Newsquest) The Hotel was generally satisfactory but it was stated pest controllers had found evidence of cockroaches in a room. Three rooms were inspected and were satisfactory. Bedding is stripped every four days and the condition was satisfactory. Window restrictors were observed within the rooms inspected and confirmed to be working satisfactorily Pest control visited after a complaint about bed bugs. No evidence was found but there was evidence of cockroaches in one room. (Image: Newsquest) Chez Nous, in Hillhead Street, in the west end, was inspected on March 11 2025 Issues highlighted in previous inspection in February 2024 included a legionella risk. The report stated: 'A Legionella Risk Assessment was carried out within the premises on 13 June 2023, with a recommended Review Date of 13 June 2025. 'A recent annual Legionella Inspection was carried out by H2O Legionella Control Services on 3 January 2024, which identified a number of non-compliances (i.e., hot/cold water temperatures not recorded on a regular basis, inconsistent shower cleaning records, no flushing records, recommend training for staff to improve monitoring and record keeping, etc.) with legionella control measures.' Window safety was highlighted. During the inspection it was noted that 'a number of windows were not opening correctly and therefore, there was little or no fresh air coming into the room'. Copland Hotel, Copland Road, Ibrox was inspected on June 6, 2023 A previous inspection found a pest control contractor has indicated 'rat activity' within the rear garden area. It was noted on the follow up there was 'no current pest activity'. The inspectors also found damaged flooring and trip hazards, which have since been repaired. There were signs that residents were smoking in rooms and the ground flood female toilet was in a dirty condition. There was a 'damaged cooker' and 'dirty bedding' need more regular cleaning. Concerns were also highlighted about residents' behaviour. The report revealed around 12 needles had recently been removed from a sink overflow and staff were exposed to violent behaviour. St Enoch Hotel Howard Street, city centre was visited on April 4, 2025, a revisit from February 25, 2025. (Image: Newsquest) Damaged flooring and trip hazards were reported. Rooms were 'generally satisfactory' but inspectors observed cracked class, scorch marks, water damage on a ceiling in one room and no shower in an en-suite. Two rooms had no showers and there was water penetration, with a bucket on the floor catching water. Needles were found almost daily, including one incident which caused injury to a housekeeper. Tartan Lodge in Alexandra Parade, was inspected on 17 October 2024 after an initial visit on September 13 A basement room had no ventilation with a window unable to be opened. There were dirty showers in two rooms, and water damage was reported.
Glasgow Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Inspections at 7 Glasgow homeless hotels find 'defects'
Environmental health inspections at a number of hotels and B&Bs used for homeless people in Glasgow have led to 'defects and issues' being identified. Last year, the Glasgow Times launched the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign to highlight the conditions people were enduring when in need of accommodation. One of the asks of the campaign was for the council to carry out an inspection regime to ensure owners, who are paid millions of pounds a year, comply with decent standards. In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. The campaign heard firsthand from people who lived in the hotels and they reported dirty conditions with stained mattresses and bedding, rats and mice and drug taking and violence going unchecked. The council has revealed it started an inspection programme in November last year and has carried out 18 visits on seven properties up until April this year. Inspections undertaken focused on: Management of Legionella; Asbestos Management Plans; Health & Safety; Management of Hazardous substances; Inspection Checklists; Cleanliness; Pest control; Management of Falls from Height; Window Restrictors etc. Pat Togher, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, has revealed the inspections in a report to councillors. He said: 'A summary of the seven inspections noted a number of defects and or issues that have been identified by Environmental Services staff. 'The defects and or issues were not uniformly identified across all the sites. Each site inspected, demonstrated varying degrees of compliance and understanding of requirements and legislation. 'In response to the inspections and continued dialogue with the HSCP the management of the hotels and bed & breakfast have all responded positively and constructively to the inspection reports and subsequent recommendations. 'This has resulted in no enforcement notices being served on the owners of the establishments with all owners welcoming and embracing the recommendations. 'They have reacted quickly to address any issues highlighted to them following the Inspections.' He added: 'There is now a greater understanding of what is required with regards to the management of health and safety within the hotels and bed & breakfast sites. Consequently, HSCP staff are now also better equipped to understand key areas to note when visiting establishments and engaging with hotel and bed & breakfast managers.'
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
'Deeply unhelpful': Immigration policy impacts on care staff
The Council's City Administration Committee was meeting to discuss an uplift in pay for social care staff and the challenges of securing and holding onto staff was raised. Chris Cunningham, Convenor for Health, Care and Caring and Older People, highlighted the issues that affect staffing. READ NEXT: ' We're not finished yet': Campaigners welcome community centre reprieve He said: 'There are two issues on staff retention. First and most challenging is pay. If pay is not competitive, there are clearly issues. 'The second is terms and conditions, the environment in which staff operate.' He hinted towards the Prime Minister's recent speech and immigration white paper designed to reduce net migration, which has caused controversy He added:'Clearly, staffing issues in this area as well are significant in terms of recruitment from overseas and have been the case since Brexit. 'It is disappointing to see the trend and actions relating to immigration in recent years and far more recently. 'It is deeply unhelpful when there are people who wish to work in the UK and we require their skills.' The meeting heard that funding of £138.1m has been made available for local councils for an increase of the minimum hourly rate for workers providing direct social care, within commissioned services and those funded from Direct Payments, from at least £12.00 to £12.60 per hour from April 2025. READ NEXT: 'Significant disruption' to city centre buses for a year and a half The council proposed to again increase Social Care providers in Glasgow Purchased Services by a 5% uplift in line with typical full workforce costs for Social Care. Pat Togher, HSCP chief officer, also said there was an issue with staff retention. He said: 'The HSCP wants to minimise the attrition rate in the organisation.' He said the HSCP has around 17,000 staff and the attrition rate occurs 'more often than not in areas of lower pay, in care homes and care home providers.' Mr Togher added: We are working very hard on this.'
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Health board failed when it shut special homeless GP service
The Independent National Whistleblower Officer upheld a number of complaints over the closure of the specialist GP service. The practice at Hunter Street closed in March 2023 after a review of services and a move to a 'single inter-disciplinary team'. READ NEXT:Migrants are NOT given houses ahead of local people says council deputy leader At the point of closure, the practice had 167 registered patients and dealt with a larger number of patients on a temporary basis, with annual patient contacts at approximately 600. The complaints, by a whistleblower, claimed the Health and Social Care Partnership 'failed to follow a meaningful process of engagement and consultation with staff'. It was also claimed there was no 'meaningful stakeholder consultation prior to the decision to reduce specialist GP service provision for people experiencing homelessness'. Both were upheld by the Whistleblower Office. The HSCP also failed to carry out a full risk assessment and equalities impact before it took the decision to reduce the service. And it failed to' take action to address the long-term risks associated with closing the service. The INWO issued a number of recommendations to the HSCP to put in place. The HSCP must ensure the principles in their Participation and Engagement Strategy are being met in practice. READ NEXT: MP tells how he served children food at homeless shelter in Glasgow It is also told to be aware of their responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010 and the need to complete timely equalities impact assessments. At a meeting of the Integration Joint Board, which governs the HSCP today chief Officer Pat Togher said they accepted the recommendations A spokesperson for the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, said: 'We note the findings of this report and as a continuous learning and improving organisation will take time to consider the recommendations. "In terms of our current homelessness provision, we have in place well-established governance arrangements and continue to develop services for those impacted by homelessness despite increased demand and a challenging financial climate."
