Commitment to best practice

Kärcher UK and Environmental Excellence Training and Development support NHS teams in sharing experience and progress

Kärcher UK hosted a healthcare event in partnership with Environmental Excellence Training and Development Ltd at Kärcher’s state of the art showroom in Banbury. The event was open to invited guests, where their new technology was demonstrated, from steam cleaning, carpet and vacuum cleaning, trolleys and more.

Delia Cannings of EETD thanked the sponsors of the day including Altro, demonstrating their wares for hygienic floors and standards for cleaning; Greenteck, supplier of a ‘magic water’ cleaning agent which is very safe and environmentally friendly; and GLP Training an apprenticeship provider, giving cleaning staff the opportunity to have a credible qualification.

Cannings told those present: “The apprenticeship take-up needs to be improved. Take a look at pre-apprenticeship training, get a good provider to meet your needs, recognising the skills your staff use in their jobs every day.”

The aim of the day was to speak about the standards within NHS trusts, with consistency being the crucial key. “There should be a minimum standard in place that everyone must achieve. Go above and beyond that if you can, but always meet the minimum,” said Cannings. The event served as the annual review of the NSoHC 2021 (National Standards in Health Care Cleanliness 2021), focusing on assessing progress and implementation since its launch and provide a platform for NHS Trusts and healthcare establishments to exchange insights, share experiences, and evaluate advancements made in adhering to the rigorous standards set forth in May 2022.

Nigel Grinstead, CEO of private care organisation Open Junction, spoke about the complexities within the NHS and different interpretations of standards. Touring local hospitals, Grinstead shared images of storerooms, showing a multitude of items that were posing unnecessary fire risks and health and safety issues. Who trained the staff? Who is responsible for them? Who has given them the standards to adhere to?

Fay Lane, national programmes manager for apprenticeships NHS England, spoke about how training will help to create future leaders: “It’s about being the best that you can be, and NHS England wants everyone to have access to training and education.”

A ‘Cosy Corner’ panel, made up of Collette Sweeney – ISS – Head of Healthcare Cleaning, Caroline Fennessy – Serco UK & Europe, Anna Hallas MBE, Head of Healthcare Cleaning and Infection Control – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Heather Cracknell ISS – Healthcare Cleaning SME, hosted a question and answer session covering new standards being implemented across the NHS and how best to prepare to carry them out.

Chris James, CEO of Skills Angle, delivered an interesting speech on a ‘Net Zero by 2040’ NHS,being the first healthcare system to make such a commitment. The ability of the NHS to make positive changes to the health of the UK population by reducing their emissions, can help improve factors such as air quality, thus helping respiratory conditions, not just in the UK but the entire world.

The afternoon was closed by Delia Cannings thanking all guests for their attendance, presenting the speakers with a gift to take away, as well as three lucky winners of a prize draw.

Jon Burman, head of special business at Kärcher UK says: “This event not only underlines our dedication to promoting excellence in healthcare cleanliness, but also highlights our ongoing efforts to support NHS Trusts and healthcare establishments in achieving and maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety.”

Delia Canning adds: “We are proud to collaborate with Kärcher UK in hosting the VIP Health Care event, which underscores our shared commitment to advancing standards in healthcare cleanliness. Through strategic partnerships and collective efforts, we aim to empower healthcare establishments with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve excellence in environmental management and sustainability.”