When it comes to investing in state-of-the-art cleaning and decontamination equipment, NHS trusts need to look at the bigger picture rather than ‘the figure at the bottom of the balance sheet’, experts are warning.
The comments come after publication of the results of a poll run by Jigsaw Cleaning Systems on the industry news site, www.cleanleanhealthcare.org.
It asked readers: “Is an initial investment in cleaning technology preventing the healthcare industry from improving its systems?”
There is no denying that implementing a thorough and modern cleaning system involves an often-sizeable initial outlay. However, we feel strongly that this should not put off the industry from taking this important step
The results showed that 39% of respondents believed that the high cost of modern technology was preventing the industry from moving forward, with just 11% disagreeing. Meanwhile, 50% said investment was largely dependent on the budget available.
Speaking to BBH about the research, Brian Boll, operations director at Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, revealed: “There is no denying that implementing a thorough and modern cleaning system involves an often-sizeable initial outlay.
“However, we feel strongly that this should not put off the industry from taking this important step. A state-of-the-art cleaning system can, in fact, save a considerable sum.”
He added that, currently, trusts were taking too short-term a view on investment.
“When they hear that something costs £10,000, the answer is often ‘no’,” Boll said.
“Spending has been restricted over the last couple of years and trusts are taking a very short-term view, failing to look beyond the next two or three years.
“They need to look past the initial cost and invest to save because they will be a lot better off in the long term.”
Jigsaw Cleaning Systems has exhibited at many recent industry exhibitions, but Boll said NHS estates and facilities managers are often refused permission to visit these important events because of the cost of entry and the associated overnight stays and travel expenses.
“It’s narrow-minded because if they were allowed to spend time at the show looking at the technologies now on offer, they could end up saving their trust £500,000 or more.
“It is time trusts started to look at the bigger picture rather than just the figure at the bottom of the balance sheet.”
It is time trusts started to look at the bigger picture rather than just the figure at the bottom of the balance sheet
As cleaning and decontamination equipment has improved, there are now a number of systems that can not only save energy costs, but will also reduce water usage, waste disposal fees, and will cut down on noise, as well as saving time.
Boll said: “A hospital might have a long corridor and it may take a person two-and-a-half hours to clean it by hand. Then you have to factor in drying time. Switching to a washer/dryer machine may cost £5,000, but it takes just 40 minutes to do the same task, freeing up those cleaning staff to be deployed elsewhere.
“Hospitals also need to look at disposable cloths and mops and drill down into the whole lifecycle cost of equipment before deciding which option to choose. The cheapest upfront is not always the cheapest overall.”