A LITTER picker has expressed concerns that hospital nurses taking a break near a dirty path could risk contaminating patients.

Peter Brabin, a member of Bolton North Litter Pickers, said that the spot near Royal Bolton Hospital in Minerva Road is frequented by nurses and hospital staff taking cigarette breaks.

The hospital has said there are strict infection controls in place to prevent this happening.

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The groups concerns come as The Bolton News last month launched its 'We Love Bolton' campaign to crack down on litter and fly-tipping.

The spot is also near a path that leads down to a farmyard, with Peter worrying that animal waste could be trodden back into the wards.

He said: “Just before you go into the hospital, there’s a way across with a dirt path that leads down to a farmyard with cattle.

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“Some hospital staff will take their breaks in the area, which is filthy with rubbish and cigarette ends they leave behind.

"The farm track will be contaminated with animal faeces and this is an area where they sit to smoke and eat and drink. They then go back into the hospital and could take the contamination back with them."

Peter said he and other litter pickers had complained to the hospital in the past and despite receiving reassurances that something would be done, no action had yet been taken.

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This included the provision of litter bins in the area which he said were never installed.

But a senior figure for the hospital trust said that strict controls were in place for staff returning from their breaks.

Karen Meadowcroft, Chief Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: “All our staff follow strict infection control policies and procedures, including when returning from breaks into patient areas.

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“This includes rigorous hand washing and the appropriate PPE for the area they are in. We ensure that this is adhered to at all times.”

Peter added: “We have cleaned that area many times in the past and we will get dozens of bags of litter when we go picking there. I really do think it is a hazard. I think the hospital should have designated places for staff taking a break that are much cleaner.”

Peter, who picks up litter with the group every Sunday, said it was a spot the group would continue to visit.

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