The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

THE RESULTS of an opinion poll carried out by an Irish newspaper in relation to how people feel about hygiene standards in Irish hospitals produced disturbing results.

Nine out of 10 people are afraid of going into hospital because of the risk of infection.

It appears people based their response on their own or relatives’ experience in hospital.

How can this be allowed to develop in a country that is awash with money?

The politicians can vote themselves a huge pay increase amounting to more than some people earn in a year and yet cannot guarantee a simple thing like a clean hospital ward.

Medicine has made huge strides in finding cures for diseases but yet all this is undermined by a lack of basic cleaning.

How ridiculous is that?

In the past I’m sure lack of cleanliness would have been the last thing anyone would have considered but now it is the first thing a patient worries about.

Somebody needs to take charge and sort this out now. Money should not be a consideration.