It seems the management of Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust was wrong in not ensuring the cleaning of ward lavatories was the responsibility of the cleaning contractors.

It is surprising the NHS has not devised a standard contract which could be applied nationwide and so avoid such situations.

Cleanliness within the NHS is not only a problem within Bromley.

A friend, in another trust's area, after waiting five hours for an ambulance, was placed in a reception ward with walls spattered with blood.

Despite being ill, she had to get out of bed to move herself from the ward wall.

And these are 2005 NHS standards.

G W Williams Bromley