There's no time to clean up properly

Consultant radiologist Sarah Burnett is all too familiar with the filthy conditions at A&E departments across the capital.

As a doctor who worked in the NHS for 16 years, she said levels of hygiene at many of London's hospitals were appalling.

"London hospitals are sliding back into the 18th century in terms of hygiene. Nobody ever cleans properly. If there is an incident where body fluids are spilt it can take hours to get it cleaned up," she said.

"The dangers of cross-infection are high. You could walk in with a trivial wound and leave with MRSA.

"Staff often don't have the time to wash their hands between patients. There isn't the time to think about hygiene, and contract cleaners don't really take responsibility for it."

Patients at London hospitals are the most at risk, she said, adding: "It doesn't surprise me that London performs very badly ... because our resources are far more limited. Hospitals have to pay out more for staff and treat more unfunded patients, like asylum seekers."

Dr Burnett said she had become so disillusioned with the NHS she went into private medicine.