Sheffield Hospitals cleaners scoop national award nomination

Sheffield Hospitals cleaners hope to clean up at national awards ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Domestic Services Rapid Bed Cleaning Team one of three teams across the country in contention for the Healthcare Cleaning Team of the Year
  • The team have been described as "invaluable" by staff, undertaking a phenomenal 598 bed cleans in one four-week period, and helping to ensure beds are ready for the next patient as soon as possible
  • The team took on additional cleaning duties and took responsibility for updating the bed clean status on the ward whiteboards so there is real-time information about bed availability at-a-glance

A rapid response cleaning team who ensure ward beds are available for patients as quickly as possible during times of high demand have been nominated for a national healthcare cleaning award.

The Domestic Services Rapid Bed Cleaning Team was originally set up as part of a trial to help patient flow through the hospital, free up nursing time and ensure ward beds are ready for the next patient as quickly as possible. The team have been praised by ward staff and described as ‘invaluable’ in meeting the increased demands since the pandemic.

The team are now one of three teams across the country in contention for the Healthcare Cleaning Team of the Year at the My Cleaning Awards, which are run in association with NHS England. The Awards aim to shine a light and raise the profile of healthcare cleaners and the work they do.

Working in partnership with the clinical teams, the hospital cleaning team were responsible for rapidly cleaning and making up beds across seven wards at the Northern General Hospital.

As well as performing additional cleaning duties normally undertaken by clinical staff such as cleaning the bed and mattress, and making up the bed with clean linen, the bed turnaround team took responsibility for updating the bed clean status on the ward whiteboards so that there is real-time information about bed availability at-a-glance. This meant that patients could be transferred from A&E or Assessment Units as soon as the bed was ready.

At one point they did a phenomenal 598 bed cleans in one four-week period, with the bed being ready for the next patient within less than an hour of a patient’s discharge in most cases.

Andrew Jones, Facilities Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our domestic services staff provide an essential, but often unseen role. This nomination is recognition of the team’s fantastic work, and the difference they make to patients and the clinical teams they are supporting.”

Jo Marsden, Nurse Director, Surgical Services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The impact this team have had on wards to enable best use of the beds we have available every day during really busy periods has been incredible. They always have a smile, are super-efficient and go above and beyond to support my teams to deliver the best we can for patients. They are a joy to work alongside and hugely professional.”

 

ENDS

 


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