Hospital Cleaning Award

Patients expect hospitals to be clean, and there is clear evidence of a tremendous improvement in cleanliness and infection control standards. This award acknowledges the efforts made by NHS organisations in recent years to raise standards in cleanliness and reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections.

2009 WINNER: Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Since October 2006 the Barnsley rates for MRSA have been below the average level. The hospital has been set targets to reduce the numbers of Clostridium difficile cases each year so that by 2011, no more than 135 cases are reported. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the hospital recorded 138 cases against a target of 184, showing a 22 per cent reduction over the same period last year. In terms of MRSA bacteraemia, the hospital recorded just eight cases in 2008/2009 against a target of 11.

A new cleaning contract, which started in April, sees extra cleaners and a 55 per cent increase in hours spent cleaning each week. Also in April, MRSA screening was rolled out to all patients being admitted to the hospital, including all emergency patients from 1st August. The swab tests are carried out as part of the patient’s usual pre-assessment checks, or on admission. If MRSA is found, treatment is simple, using body wash and nose cream.

Hospital staff responsible for the cleaning and sterilisation of medical equipment have been praised after winning a handful of prestigious contracts to provide their services to other hospitals in the region. The sterile services team based at Barnsley Hospital clean and sterilise thousands of pieces of medical equipment every week for all three hospitals in Barnsley as well as all of the GP practices, health centres, dentists and podiatrists. In recent months, the team has won tenders to provide services to Lincoln, Grantham and Gainsborough Hospitals, Bradford and Pontefract GPs, private sector hospitals in Rotherham and Wakefield. The team also received praise from Airedale NHS Trust after Barnsley’s sterile services team were able to provide emergency support and save the day when Airedale’s unit broke down.  

In its most recent Care Quality Commission inspection, Barnsley hospital scored the maximum possible points for safety and cleanliness and for patient dignity and respect. 

COMMENDED

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust