A discussion among Nigerian and international nurses working in the United Kingdom has sparked renewed debate about role boundaries, infection control, and staffing pressures within the NHS, after a Nigerian-trained nurse shared her experience of being required to mop theatre floors while on duty.

Writing on her Facebook page, a UK-based Nigerian registered nurse, identified as Nurse MJ, said she was shocked during her first day working in an operating theatre in the UK when she discovered that nurses were expected to carry out certain cleaning tasks between procedures.

She explained that during her years of nursing practice in Nigeria, cleaning duties were handled by designated health technicians and professional cleaners, allowing nurses to focus strictly on clinical care.

According to her account, the contrast was unexpected given the structured role separation she experienced in Nigeria. She stressed that her comments were not an attack on the UK healthcare system or on cleaning staff, but rather an attempt to raise questions about role clarity, patient safety, and how highly trained clinicians are deployed within healthcare systems.

Her post quickly generated wide reactions from healthcare professionals across different countries, including the UK, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United States.

Some respondents defended the practice, arguing that cleaning blood and bodily fluids falls under clinical infection control responsibilities rather than domestic cleaning. A UK-based clinician explained that hospital cleaners typically do not handle biohazard materials, which require specialised training in infection prevention and control.

From this perspective, clinicians cleaning between cases is seen as a safety requirement rather than role erosion.

Others noted that the NHS operates under significant staffing and time pressures, particularly in operating theatres where rapid turnaround between cases is essential. Several nurses and doctors shared similar experiences, describing a workplace culture where clinicians frequently perform tasks beyond their core roles to avoid delays in patient care.

However, some contributors disagreed, stating that while infection control is a shared responsibility, nurses should not routinely replace dedicated cleaning teams. They raised concerns about workload, burnout, and the risk of undermining professional boundaries if highly skilled staff are consistently diverted to non-clinical duties.

International comparisons also featured prominently in the discussion. Healthcare professionals who have worked in the United States and other countries highlighted differences in staffing models, noting that some systems rely more heavily on support workers and assistants to handle non-clinical tasks.

Despite differing views, many contributors agreed on one point: the issue reflects broader systemic challenges rather than individual attitudes. Staffing shortages, outsourcing of cleaning services, cost pressures, and efficiency targets were repeatedly cited as factors shaping how roles are interpreted on the ground.

As debates about workforce sustainability and patient safety continue within the NHS, the conversation has reopened questions about how healthcare systems balance teamwork, professional identity, and the effective use of skilled labour in high-pressure clinical environments.