WIREDGOV

Revised standards for hospital cleaning - incorporating the latest technology and modern methods - were announced today.

All hospitals across Scotland will adopt the new measures which will also be used to scrutinise standards when Health Protection Scotland carry out quarterly audits.

The National Cleaning Specification sets out specific cleaning frequencies which boards have to achieve. The specification is linked to the national monitoring tool which ensures boards deliver to these frequencies.

Key points in the revised standards, published by Health Facilities Scotland, include:

• Guidance on the use of steam cleaners
• Further awareness of the importance of hand hygiene and health and safety
• A colour coding system to ensure specific clothes etc are used for specific areas

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Tackling hospital infections is my top priority. That's why we are investing 54 million pounds over three years on a range of initiatives designed to drive down infection rates and reduce patients' risk of exposure.

"There is no single solution to this complex problem, but good cleaning has a key part to play and must continue to be a high priority for all NHS Boards.

"Standards of hospital cleaning have vastly improved in recent years, but patients and the public have to be confident in the quality of hospital cleanliness and the standard of care they receive.

"We must also strive for continous improvement which is why we set rigorous and demanding targets for NHS Boards. The revised cleaning specification is part of this process."

The revised specification was announced by the Acting Chief Nursing Officer Mags McGuire at the Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals conference. The Director of Health Facilities Scotland will formally launch the revised specification on Friday, June 5.

NHS Boards were recently provided with 250 steam cleaning machines and over £5 million for extra cleaners, putting an extra 600 cleaners to work across Scotland.

Related Information