Southern Health Trust, in partnership with Compass Group UK and Ireland’s healthcare division, Medirest, has been awarded NHS ‘Exemplar’ status for outstanding cleaning services at four sites.

The acknowledgement recognises their partnership approach to cleanliness, which has embraced the 2021 National Standards for Healthcare Cleaning, alongside using innovation, sustainability and efficacy auditing systems.

Over the past year, progress and investment has been made across the cleaning services including the introduction of a cleaning robot, which enhances repetitive cleaning procedures in open spaces. Plus, an upgraded auditing system for cleaning that aligns with the 2021 National Standards for Healthcare Cleaning and frictionless facilities management technology linked to integrated workforce management solutions. They have also implemented a new laundry system for cleaning cloths and mop heads; new iMops, which use fast brush rotations, that leave surfaces cleaner than other traditional methods and chemical free cleaning in non-clinical areas.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Hampshire. It is one of the largest providers of such specialist services in England and the first to receive the NHS Exemplar status.

Emma Brookes, Head of Soft FM, NHS England, said: “I’ve been impressed by the improvements and innovation that have been embedded across the Trust, enhancing infection prevention and control and resulting in a better patient experience. It can be challenging to coordinate this across several sites covering many different healthcare sectors including mental health, community, acute and primary care, so it’s great to acknowledge the achievements of Southern Health and Medirest with Exemplar status.”

Bob Beeching, Contracts Manager at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust commented: “We are very proud to be the first mental health focussed Trust to receive Exemplar site status for cleaning. We work in partnership with Medirest to deliver on our standards of cleanliness, using an approach that is sustainable and innovative. The efficacy audits have played a key role in creating and maintaining these standards across the four sites.”

Anna Hallas, Head of Healthcare Cleaning and Infection Control for Medirest added: “We have worked with Southern Health since 2015 and this recognition demonstrates our partnership approach. We have developed a strategy designed to deliver the Cleaning Standards to fit Southern Health’s specific requirements. This is a great example of best practice, and we are committed to sharing learnings with other hospitals.”

Medirest also has Exemplar status at Royal Surrey and Barnet Hospital for cleaning, portering and catering.