§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have privatised cleaning services; and what measures are in place to ensure that cleaning companies keep high standards. [115157]
§ Mr. LammyThe information requested is not currently collected.
Monitoring of cleaning standards on a day to day basis is the responsibility of individual National Health Service trusts and contracts with private companies providing cleaning services should have clear procedures to be followed in the event that required standards are not achieved.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals have failed to maintain cleaning standards in the last three years; whether they have privatised cleaning services; and what action is taken against companies that do not keep to high cleaning standards. [115158]
§ Mr. LammyThe first inspections of hospital cleanliness, undertaken by patient environment action teams in 2000, assessed 253 hospitals environmental standards, including standards of cleanliness, as poor. Following the assessments in autumn 2001, this number reduced to nil and that position was maintained in 2002. Results for 2003 are not yet available.
Monitoring of cleaning standards on a day-to-day basis is the responsibility of individual National Health Service trusts. Contracts with private companies providing cleaning services should have clear procedures to be followed in the event that required standards are not achieved, which may range from additional cleaning to termination of the contract.