Scottish Government

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Hospital clean up

17/04/2009

An army of 600 new hospital cleaners is to be recruited after the Scottish Government allocated extra funds.

The aim - representing over £5 million extra investment in cleaning - is to ensure all Scottish health boards meet the highest possible cleaning standards, as part of the government's drive to tackle hospital infections.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the recruitment of 600 extra cleaners would also provide badly-needed jobs for the Scottish economy.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"Ensuring high standards of cleanliness is a simple yet effective way to minimise the spread of infections.

"This is part of the government's continuing drive to stamp out hospital superbugs and reassure people about the quality of care they will receive should they need hospital treatment.

"But more cleaners won't just improve cleanliness in our hospitals - by providing 600 jobs it will also give the economy a shot in the arm at this difficult time."

Today's news follows last year's announcement that there would be no further privatisation of hospital cleaning and catering services anywhere in Scotland.

Existing contracts will be allowed to run their course, but health boards have been told not to extend or renew agreements with private firms.

The additional funding will be sufficient to fund 600 extra staff in a mixture of full-time and part-time posts, based on the current distribution of full- and part-time positions in the domestic workforce.

The Scottish Government is investing £54 million (over three years) in a range of initiatives designed to tackle HAIs. These include an MRSA screening programme, prudent prescribing of antibiotics, zero tolerance on hand hygiene and a Healthcare Environment Inspectorate to carry out unannounced inspections of hospitals.

ALLOCATION BY NHS BOARD