The Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals says that its 34th annual conference & exhibition, held last month in Glasgow, proved to be the most successful event to date, with record numbers of delegates and exhibitors. Over 200 delegates and 50 exhibitors attended the event, which had the theme ‘Our future is now – Scotland hosts AHCP…Europe…The World’ and according to feedback from attendees, it did not disappoint.

“The question of hospital cleanliness has proved itself far from simply a political hobbyhorse," comments Carina Bale, National Chair for AHCP.

"The incidents of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ in UK hospitals has risen, and with it, concerns over hospital cleanliness. In the public mind these two are instinctively linked. The intention behind the design of our 2009 National Conference programme was to create a world class arena, where the nation's professionals could meet to focus on cleanliness, infection prevention and control, sustainability within their services and advancing skills in managing HCAIs.”

The event programme provided European and International speakers who highlighted and addressed current and future global practice, with many delegates discussing ideas and options on international partnership research projects. World Class Innovation and Technology was spearheaded by the UK Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) pioneering technology, illustrating how the UK is at the leading edge with HCAI management, particularly around the patient bed space.

Robotic and revolutionary industry equipment gave a view into the future with delegates and suppliers alike, taking the opportunity to discuss and debate futuristic succession planning and electronic innovation.

The launch of the Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual, which the AHCP had reviewed and rewritten with the National Patient Safety Agency as an agreed partnership project with the Department of Health, took place on day three of the conference, and was the culmination of work which began on the review in the latter part of 2008. To ensure a robust document, many new approaches were employed, including an on-line collaborative tool that enabled every single member of AHCP to view the work-in-progress and have input.

Supporting pan-UK working practices and procedures, Paul Kingsmore, Director of Health Facilities Scotland, launched the NHS Scotland National Cleaning Manual Specification. These pivotal documents bond cleanliness, infection prevention and control and monitoring at the very heart of the patient environment. The AHCP expects both manuals to provide the nucleus for cleaning service specification designs, outputs and monitoring programmes within healthcare facilities.

The Department of Health supports the production of the Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual and recognises that it will make it easier for healthcare facilities and Trusts to manage their service deliveries.

“We know that the Scottish Government expects the NHS Scotland National Cleaning Manual to be used during specification design, as part of the mandatory requirement to comply with its country’s cleaning services and monitoring practices”, says Carina Bale. “This national commitment to best practice clearly supports the ongoing work that our members, suppliers and industry experts are driving forward.”

A further highlight of the event was the Business Plan judging by Lee McQueen, Business Development Director of Amscreen Healthcare & winner of 2008 'The Apprentice' with Sir Alan Sugar. AHCP had tasked Branches nationally to address the Association’s Strategic Sustainability Programme, and requested that Business Plans be submitted to the Executives. These were judged throughout the year culminating in the final two Branches presenting in front of the conference audience. One member from the Scottish Branch and one member from the Welsh Branch gave the presentations, with extreme professionalism and commitment. Lee McQueen led the judging and Scotland won the day…by a hair’s breadth!

AHCP’s thanks go to its closest industry allies, sponsors and suppliers, who provided an exhibition environment with over 50 stands, demonstrating their products, equipment and new technology. The exhibition was hailed as a success, both from the point of view of the exhibitors who had experienced an increase in delegate numbers and from the point of view of delegates who were impressed with the professionalism and wide range of products and services available.

“It was Ramon Hygiene Products’ first venture at the conference and we were not disappointed," said the stand representatives. "The number of delegates at the conference was both surprising and impressive for us and we were made to feel extremely welcome by the organisers, delegates and fellow suppliers. Our stand was always busy! The organisation was exemplary and the entertainment was superb.”

Delia Cannings of Matthew Boulton College is a seasoned exhibitor at various 'cleaning' shows and she was impressed too: "It was an excellent event in every respect: the warm friendly hosts, the vibrant atmosphere and a fabulous build up to the closing event," she enthused.

Emma Brooks, Ashford & St Peter's NHS Trust was clearly happy she'd taken time out of a busy schedule to attend, saying: “The whole event was way above anything I had expected - it was a great three days and my team and I benefited greatly from it, we are all still buzzing with ideas! The speakers were excellent and it was great to see so many suppliers and have the time to chat and set up meetings and see equipment in action."

Says Carina Bale: “We know that the management of infection, the management of cleaning and the management of the patient environment is intrinsically linked. The feedback we are still receiving from this national conference is confirming to us, that this was a most magnificent event for delegates, exhibitors and speakers alike, bringing experts and professionals together into a developmental arena.”

The AHCP’s 35th Annual Conference & Exhibition will be taking place from 8th – 10th June 2010 at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre.

Further information on the event will be available shortly via the AHCP website. Alternatively, for more details about exhibiting, sponsoring or attending as a delegate:

T: Anne Williams 01932 225632
E: anne@nextlevelinfo.com
W: www.ahcp.co.uk