This year, the hospital is looking at transforming how it works – not just to make savings but to meet the needs of our patients against ever increasing demand. We can only do this by totally transforming how we work. As part of this programme, we asked our cleaning contractors, Initial, to do the same. In particular, we asked how they might use technology and different ways of working to improve the service.

Nano-coating

They have responded with a comprehensive plan which proposes different shift patterns, a new structure, new electrical equipment and cleaning technology. This will include the use of ‘nano coating’ – a new surface coating which repels bacteria and reduces the need for steam cleaning.

Initial has assured us that their plans will help them to make savings while continuing to provide the same standards of quality, which means that we can continue to have such low infection rates and high independently assessed scores for our patient environment.

Our infection rates are among the lowest in the country – with two years free of MRSA bacteremia and our C.Diffiile rates reducing by half in the last year, to 28 cases last year.

Moreover, this year’s independent Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspection scored us good for our environment, excellent for our food and excellent for our privacy and dignity.