A WOMAN has condemned dirt-covered builders who used lifts which transport patients.

Jeanette Nichol, 62, told of her disgust at seeing the workmen using an elavator on four separate occasions at Basildon Hospital.

She said each time the builders, carrying out work at the hospital, were spilling bricks, rubble and dust all over the place.

Hospital bosses today apologised and said they were "extremely disappointed" with the builders' actions.

Mrs Nichol, of Hillside Road, Billericay, said: "If I was ill I would be scared to go in there in case I didn't come out.

All you hear about is Legionnaires' and MRSA, then you see workmen covering the floor of a lift used by sick people with bricks and rubble.

I was really nervous because we were treading the dirt from the lift into intensive care, which can't be hygienic."

Mrs Nichol was visiting her father-in-law, who has since died after he contracted pneumonia.

During one visit she stumbled on the builders in the lift near to the outpatients' ward.

Mrs Nichol confronted them, but they insisted the hospital told them to use the lift to get rid of rubble instead of using a chute, in case it disturbed patients.

Mrs Nichol has now lodged a formal complaint.

Basildon Hospital denied telling the builders to use the lift and said they were given "clear directions".

Spokeswoman Luenne Featherstone said: "We are extremely disappointed these important steps were not followed.

"When the issue was brought to our attention we immediately took this up with the contractor involved, and took steps to ensure compliance with our previous instructions. We are sorry for any concern this has raised."