Benefits of NHS deep cleans "in danger of being lost," reveals CSSA's snapshot poll of cleaners
Four months after the end of the Government's £57 million Deep Clean programme, a snapshot poll of cleaners by the Cleaning & Support Services Association indicates that the deep cleans are in danger of being a waste of money.
There are three key findings from the poll:
1. The deep cleans made a significant difference to the perception of cleaners about the cleanliness of their wards. Some 46% of cleaners thought that their hospital was very clean before the deep cleans - rising to 89% after them.
2. However, in the four months since the end of the deep cleans, the percentage of cleaners viewing their ward as being very clean has dropped back to 75%
3. Only 44% of cleaners polled are aware of any changes to daily cleaning routines since the deep cleans finished.
A number of cleaners also made narrative comments about the deep clean process. The consensus of those comments was that the deep cleans should be a regular activity, and be backed up by changes to daily cleaning routines. They also noted that the ability to decant wards of patients and equipment was instrumental in making the deep cleans an effective process.
The CSSA poll presents a mixed picture of the results of the deep cleans four months on. It is welcome news that they made such an initial difference to the cleaners' perception of the cleanliness of their own hospitals. However it is also worrying that less than half the cleaners polled are aware of changes to their cleaning regimes following the deep cleans. There is a clear potential linkage between this lack of change and the more recent fall in the percentage of cleaners who regard their hospital as being very clean.
Speaking after the findings of this poll were published, Andrew Large, Chief Executive of the CSSA, commented:
"I am pleased that the deep cleans have made such a noticeable difference to how cleaners perceive their hospitals.
"However, I am also worried that the cleaning industry's concerns about the longevity of the benefits of the deep cleans may be coming true.
"I urge all NHS clients to back up the real improvements made by the deep cleans and invest in the enhancement of cleaning regimes. Without this investment, the improvements made by the deep cleans may only last for a few more months."
The poll was undertaken during August. The full results are set out below.
1. Was your hospital deep cleaned?
Yes: 93% No: 3.5% Don't Know: 3.5%
2. How clean was the hospital before the deep clean?
Very Clean: 46% Fairly Clean: 51% Fairly Dirty: 3% Very Dirty: 0%
3. How clean was the hospital immediately after the deep clean?
Very Clean: 89% Fairly Clean: 11% Fairly Dirty: 0% Very Dirty: 0%
4. How clean is your hospital now?
Very Clean: 75% Fairly Clean: 25% Fairly Dirty: 0% Very Dirty: 0%
5. Did the deep clean make a difference to the cleanliness of your hospital?
Yes: 76% No: 18% Don't Know: 6%
6. Will the deep clean make a long term difference to the cleanliness of your hospital?
Yes: 66% No: 17% Don't Know: 17%
7. Has your hospital changed its daily cleaning routines since the deep clean?
Yes: 44% No: 48% Don't Know: 8%
If you would like to know more about this issue or about the benefits that the association can bring to your business or are interested in becoming a member of the CSSA:
T: 0207 920 9632
4th September 2008