West Suffolk Hospital takes cleaning services back in house

26 September, 2002

The West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust has brought cleaning services back in house after seven years of it being contracted out to private companies.

The move, which comes at the end of the present contract, is part of the trust's strategy to improve services through more efficient management and lines of communication. It has been whole-heartedly welcomed by the public service union UNISON.

John Parkes, Chief Executive at the Bury St Edmunds Trust said: "This is a very important and positive move. There has been recent criticism of some of our cleaning standards and managing plus motivating our own staff will result in improved services, this will be achieved through greater team working.”

"Because they have been under a separate management arrangement, housekeeping staff haven't been feeling that they are valued members of the trust's team and this will now change. Under our own direct management we will be able to build on their good work."

The current contract with hospital services contractor Medirest will end next month, with the 150 staff transferring on their current terms and conditions on 1 November. This will be the first time that housekeepers have been directly employed by the trust since their work went to outside contractors in 1995.

"As with all other services, we will still have to prove that having an in-house service provides the best value for money. With more efficient management structures and by working with members of staff to find ways of further improving the quality of our domestic services I am sure that we can do it," said John Parkes.

Tony Jones, Regional Officer for UNISON said: "I am absolutely delighted that the staff in the house-keeping department of West Suffolk Hospital have been given the opportunity to return to the West Suffolk family.

"UNISON staff have only ever wanted to be directly employed by the trust. They have been giving years of dedicated service and look forward to a long and happy future in their roles at West Suffolk Hospital.

"I would add that trust chief executive John Parkes should be congratulated for taking on board the views of UNISON. This move is the first of many partnership initiatives between UNISON members and trust management and this is seen as in keeping with UNISON's 'positively public' agenda."