A 58-year-old heart patient admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital says his stay was a nightmare ordeal of filth and chaos.

Blood-soaked swabs were littered about, urine-filled bottles remained uncollected, a patient who messed himself in bed was cleaned up without curtains being pulled round, and toilets stank, with used paper littering the floor.

Bosses at the hospital have apologised, insisting hygiene is of the utmost importance and have launched an immediate review.

Michael Bannister, of The Chase, Chatham, is no stranger to hospitals. He suffered two heart attacks 13 years ago and since then has had a triple bypass, a stent inserted, and other treatment.

"Considering all the publicity over the superbug MRSA, I was amazed it was so dirty," he said. "Containers of alcohol rub for staff to wash their hands were everywhere, but I only saw one person use one, and that was a medical secretary.

"I was appalled by what I saw. You don't go to hospital and expect to see filthy swabs on the floor. I have done cleaning before and I could do a better job.

"I hope this story will make them open their eyes because something needs to be done. You could pick anything up."

Mr Bannister's ordeal began last Saturday, when he felt chest pains, and called an ambulance.

"When we reached A&E, I was put in a cubicle on a trolley, which was covered in plaster of Paris dust," he said. "Then my wife, Cheryl, found a used swab at the end of the trolley.

"Shortly after that my daughter found another, covered in blood, under the trolley. The floor was filthy. I had to ask for a bottle to relieve myself, but no-one took it away."

Although Mr Bannister was brought into hospital at 7.30pm, it was midnight before he was taken up to a ward.

"I was put on another trolley with no blanket and no pillow," he said. "When I looked around I saw two bottles, one full and one half full of urine, on a ledge. Nearby was a medication bottle with liquid still in it, and there was a kidney dish with a used syringe lying in it.

"I asked someone for a pillow. They returned with a pile of towels instead, because they couldn't find one."

Mr Bannister was eventually taken to another ward at 5.30am. "The breakfast trolley came along, and as I was spreading my toast the man opposite messed himself," he said.

"He couldn't help that of course, but while they were cleaning him up, no-one pulled the curtains round.

"On Monday a man called for a commode. No screens were put round, and the stench was appalling. It was just left there. One of the women stood up in the middle of the ward and relieved herself all over the floor. No-one did anything about it, until eventually a nurse came along and took it on herself to clean up."

Mr Bannister said he later went for a wash and found the toilet cubicle had used toilet paper all over the floor. He declined to use the shower because it was so filthy.

"When I got dressed to go home I dropped some coins," he said. "I bent down to pick them up and saw under the bed. It was in a filthy state and obviously hadn't been cleaned for ages."

Mr Bannister is now recovering at home.

Jacqueline Geoghegan director of nursing and operations at Medway Maritime, said: "I thank Mr Bannister for bringing this to our notice via the Medway Messenger. I was sorry to learn about his experience and I will get in touch with him after we have conducted a review into the issues raised.

"In the meantime my comments are:

• "Staff in the A&E department were extremely busy on the night of Mr Bannister's admission. Mr Banister arrived in A&E at 7.45pm. It is routine for patients to be assessed and reviewed whilst in A&E before a decision is made to discharge, admit or transfer to a ward or the medical assessment unit.

"Mr Bannister was treated for pain control. He had a series of tests and the results of these had to be reviewed before he was promptly transferred to the medical admissions unit at 11.15pm. After a further assessment in our medical admissions unit, Mr Bannister was transferred to Wakeley ward, which is a busy ward environment with acutely-ill patients.

• "Hygiene and cleaning standards are very important to the well-being of the hospital and we are very sorry that we appear to have fallen short of the high standards that we set ourselves. Cleaning floors, trolleys, underneath beds and toilets are all tasks that are carried out routinely, as is the disposal of waste.

• "Alcohol gel rubs are placed around the A&E department in every bay, at every entrance and exit and other notable points. Notices are on display which invite patients to be vigilant and to ask members of staff if they have cleaned their hands prior to any contact with them.

"Not seeing staff use the gel does not mean that they were not using supplies elsewhere or indeed washing with soap and water. We need patients to help us to help them. If they have concerns that something is amiss they should raise them with the nursing staff or modern matron immediately so that matters can be put right. Working together we can address these issues as they arise which benefits all concerned."