Estates and Facilities Innovation Award
sponsored by Focused FM
The Facilities and Estates Innovation Award, sponsored by Focused FM, recognises NHS and other healthcare organisations that have developed innovative procedures for managing and maintaining healthcare facilities. With the threat of budget reductions looming large we are looking to encourage and propagate the best of innovative practice in the healthcare facilities arena.
2011 Winner
University College London Hospitals - Carbon Management Plan
The development of UCLH’s Carbon and Sustainability Management Plan began in 2009 with a self assessment to identify levels of performance in a variety of areas. Carbon reduction was embedded into the procurement process by introducing ‘whole life’ carbon costing alongside quality and price considerations. All goods are delivered by suppliers to a single warehouse and held centrally. Loads are consolidated before being transported, so fewer vehicles are needed to distribute goods to participating trusts.
Commended
NHS Forth Valley - Automated Guided Vehicle System
Innovative self-guided vehicles operate in their own corridors around the Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Separated from patients and staff, the vehicles help to keep patient areas free of trolleys and other clutter, reduce infection risks and free up support staff to focus on priorities for patients. The robots follow pre-programmed routes and have sensors on their front and sides. A revolving laser sits on top which triangulates the robot’s position with reflective strips on the walls.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust - Custom Procedure Trays
By introducing Custom Procedure Trays (CPTs), Stockport’s surgical department has significantly improved its productivity, while reducing waste and improving patient safety. The trust believes that this has had a significant impact on the turnover of patients, due to the reduced set up time. Stock control has been simplified immensely. A reduction in deliveries, and the carbon associated with them, is also an important benefit of their introduction.
Cambridge University Hospitals - Business Intelligence System
Over the last four years, the Cambridge University Hospitals has implemented a user driven business intelligence system which has allowed it to save the equivalent of more than 25% of its bed capacity. The software pulls information from the hospitals’ 43 IT systems via a web browser and allows users to analyse the data through specified metrics. It has now been rolled out to 500 consultants and a further 500 managers. The software also enables regular patient satisfaction data to be gathered.
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2010 Winner
NSS Health Facilities Scotland
The development of the AROMA coffee brand provides NHS Boards with a means to reduce subsidy, improve standards and provide a ‘high street’ quality branded coffee. Phase one of the project is the Aroma Coffee Bar; a profit driven, high quality specialty coffee. The brand, wholly owned by NHS Scotland, will provide the Health Boards with an opportunity to generate income for frontline care without the need to use franchise or concession operators.
2010 Runner up: Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust
Arts Coordinators were set the challenge to develop an innovative Arts for Health and Well-being Programme to improve and maintain healthcare facilities, creating patient centred environments across all PCT sites. Projects were linked to work around health promotion so as to promote health and well-being messages within the healthcare facilities alongside meeting the core aims of PEAT.
Commended:
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust
North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has recently explored innovative technology including the use of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour (HPV) Robots to combat Clostridium Difficile. Two Ward Hygienists per site were appointed to provide a programme of steam cleaning of patient equipment. With the co-operation of Nursing, Domestic and Estates colleagues, the results have seen a 56.32% reduction in Hospital Acquired Clostridium Difficile since the projects commencement.
University College London Hospitals
The Estates and Facilities Department at UCLH is responsible for implementing sustainable development within patient and non-patient catering. As part of the UCLH carbon management programme, The Trust now includes sustainable ‘low carbon’ dishes on the in patient menu as well as in non patient restaurants, and has held a number of low carbon food challenges with its contract caterers. The Trust also has open days where patients, staff and visitors are invited to try sustainably sourced and produced food.
Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Challenged to save £37million, the FM team had to reorganise. This involved the formation of a Multi-Function Team responding to tasks including cleaning, maintenance and security. A Facilities Helpdesk was also created to ensure the MFT team leaders are effectively communicated with. The reorganisation helped achieve these reductions without disadvantaging any member of the FM department. In fact, benefits to MFT members include higher bandings and a structure that allows for career progression and personal development.
