1 April 2008
The biggest ever total deep clean of wards and clinical areas at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals is complete. Since the end of December, every ward at both sites has undergone a thorough clean as part of a national campaign by the Department of Health.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has spent in excess of £300,000 to improve each patient bed space which saw all walls and ceilings, equipment and ventilation filters being cleaned.
In an effort to ensure disruption to patients was kept to an absolute minimum, the process was carried out on a bay by bay basis to avoid ward closure. Specialist teams of cleaners supported by maintenance staff were drafted in to carry out the work.
Associate Director of Corporate Infrastructure Chris Bell said every inpatient ward received the deep clean treatment. "This is the biggest and most comprehensive deep clean this Trust has ever seen. Although we do routinely carry out deep cleaning when necessary, we have never carried out a complete programme in such a small space of time."
As part of the initiative, a range of ward equipment including bed pan holders and racks, lockers, curtains and furniture were disposed and replaced. Minor painting and decorative work was also carried out over the past three months.
Chris added: "We have received positive feedback from our patients and nursing staff about the work achieved so far and feel it has made a real difference to the patient experience."
All NHS acute Trusts were asked to produce plans about how they would implement the process and areas which needed deep cleaning. They were also required to complete the work by the end of March.
Chris continued: "We finished the deep clean work within the timescale set down by the Department of Health and are committed to continue providing first class patient services in spotless surroundings."
