A hospital has been described as “filthy” by a mother whose son was admitted with appendicitis.

Juliet Walton, of Black Notley, slammed Broomfield Hospital after her son Felix’s two-night stay, labelling it as “horrible” and “dirty”.

When Felix, 14, arrived his family say they found the bay in Phoenix Ward unwashed and with brown stained towels on the bathroom floor and fire doors propped open.

Mrs Walton said: “That hospital is filthy. Apparently the bathroom floods so of course instead of getting the plumbing fixed they leave dirty towels on the floor.”

She complained to the patient advice and liaison service.

A spokesman for Mid Essex Hospitals Trust said: “Phoenix Ward and our paediatric emergency services have seen a large increase in very sick patients and this has resulted in a marked increase in adult visitors.

"As soon as staff were made aware of the family’s concerns, a team of domestic staff came to carry out a deep clean.”

Regarding the fire doors, he added: “We are looking into possible alternatives to ensure a more comfortable environment.”

Felix is recovering at home.