Cleaning, Hygiene and the Environment
A clean and hygienic healthcare environment is key to preventing healthcare associated infections. The Task Force's first Action Plan oversaw and provided funding for a wide range of activities aimed at improving this, including the development and training framework for domestic assistants, guidance on reducing HAIs in the built environment and the development of a National Cleaning Services Specification and Monitoring Framework.
Education for cleaning staff was further developed in the second phase of the work, and the National Cleaning Services Specification and Monitoring Framework was rolled out to all Health Boards and monitored quarterly against a 90% compliance rate. The third phase of work will continue to develop these areas, with the Cleaning Specification undergoing review to ensure even tighter standards of cleanliness for hospitals.