Cleaner Hospitals Demand More Cleaners, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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UNISON, the UK's largest public service union, said called for a recruitment drive for NHS cleaners to raise hospital cleaning standards. The union welcomed the "step-change" in cleaning services being set out by NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, but warned there are no short-cuts - "cleaner hospitals demand more cleaners".

Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

"The Government should start a recruitment drive to encourage more cleaners to step up to the mark and drive up hospital cleaning standards. There are no short cuts - cleaner hospitals demand more cleaners.

"UNISON welcomes plans to ensure that nurses have more control over cleanliness on their wards but, to put those plans into practice, hospitals must employ more cleaners. Those cleaners should be employed directly by hospitals and be part of the infection control team. Deep cleaning is all well and good but it is efficient day-to-day cleaning that will make the real difference.

http://www.unison.org.uk