Providing a safe environment for patients and staff is our highest priority.

Work is progressing well on implementing the Action Plan, developed by Mr Mike Wallace, a respected health operations manager, to improve cleaning services at Royal North Shore Hospital. The Plan was endorsed on Friday 4 May 2012 by all parties at the Industrial Relations Commission.

Already:

• extra cleaners are on the job
• a new dedicated liaison officer has been appointed at Royal North Shore Hospital to meet with the cleaning sub contractor throughout each day and ensure cleaning services are running smoothly with any problems immediately resolved
• the hours of operation of the Helpdesk are being extended so that Nursing Unit Managers and responsible staff can get immediate assistance from cleaners and porters
• local management has met with nurses and doctors to ensure that patient care continues to remain a priority while the Plan is implemented.

Royal North Shore published infection rates have been better than the national average over the past 18 months. The Clinical Excellence Commission will continue to provide its state role in supporting good infection control practices at RNSH and has agreed to be available to Mr Wallace, for expert advice on infection control and other clinical issues.

As recommended by the IRC on Friday 4 May 2012, a Workplace Consultative Group has now been established by Mr Wallace. The Group has already discussed the IRC Directions including progress on the Action Plan.

Following the first meeting today Group members agreed on:-

• how best to extend the hours of operation of the Help Desk
• review of clinical support officer and ward clerk cover for periods of high activity
• review of rosters for cleaners and porters to support prioritising of patient services
• implementing a ‘Flying Squad’ cleaning team who can respond quickly where urgent cleaning is required.

NSW Health continues to take all necessary measures to ensure contracted cleaning service standards are met.