The Association of Domestic Management (ADM) represents over 500 individual managers ot cleaning, domestic, hotel and support services across the public and private sectors nationwide. Here, Julie Nottage of P&G Professional, manufacturer of professional laundry and cleaning solutions for the healthcare sector, speaks to the ADM's Penny Harrison about the challenges facing cleaning services within the NHS

What do you think will be the key issues facing the NHS over the next twelve months and which of these need to be addressed by Government?

"Without a doubt working to stamp out healthcare-associated infection within the healthcare sector will continue to be a key issue. It's the one concern that will continue to dominate all others for domestic managers."

How does the ADM take into account what patients and staff within the NHS want?

"The ADM is firmly linked with the Patients Association, and our members actively contribute to the Patient Environmental Action team to ensure that we continue to be accountable to both patients and staff."

What are some of the major initiatives that you have undertaken over the past few years?

"We carry out a number of research initiatives. For example we have recently launched a microfibre report looking at whether we should be using the material within this sector. On broader terms, we also provide on-going assistance to our members on a daily basis. We exist to offer professional support and have pioneered a massive internet support team offering practical advice on any issue that affects members."

What major interventions do you think are now needed to ensure high standards of cleanliness in hospitals?

"At present the sector needs continued financial support in order to get our hospitals clean and to then maintain those high standards. Alongside this we need to ensure that we recruit and retain the right staff within cleaning services, and this can only happen if we invest in staff training to ensure that staff can do their jobs properly, and are motivated to do so! Ultimately it all boils down to the value we place on cleaning and cleaning services. Without significant investment in this area, we will not get on top of this critical issue. Patients value cleanliness; Government needs to show that they value it too."

How can the various bodies and organisations work better together to provide excellence in professional cleaning management and allied services, ensuring the highest possible standards in public and private sector industries?

"Communication is the key. If suppliers have information, products and the like that will help our members, they need to let us know. In the same way we as the sector's association need to have clear communica­ tion lines open to ensure that information is being shared. Any proven technological advances that can help to fight infection, be it bacteria resistant surfaces or ultrasonic cleaning techniques need to be shared so that we can keep our members informed."

How does working in partnership with companies such as P&G Professional benefit and help promote the needs of the sector?

"Companies can play a great role in promoting our services and endorsing our values to the health sector. It is important that manufacturers and suppliers offer added value and make efforts to engage with the needs of the sector. This is much more important, and far more useful than the 'hard sell' approach. We have developed an excellent relationship with P&G Professional because they are keen to understand what makes the health service sector tick and work together with the sector to tackle key cleaning challenges."

Through what initiatives can companies like P&G Professional demonstrate their commitment to, and support of, the sector?

"Any initiative that draws attention to the value and importance of domestic staff within the healthcare sector would be welcomed. As well as highlighting areas where there is need of improvement, we should also be rewarding the many NHS domestic staff who work tirelessly to keep standards high, in spite of difficult working conditions and criticism. If P&G Professional could develop an initiative to really help cleaning staff feel valued then that is bound to boost recruitment and retention of quality staff, which can only be a good thing for the sector!"

MRSA is a hot topic within the NHS. How do you see the role of the ADM on this issue?

"Our role is to continue to keep our members informed about the latest developments in particular regarding MRSA. We work very closely with infection control experts and suppliers to ensure that our members can benefit from tfre very latest information and research to help combat MRSA. For example, new research reveals that the link between general dirt and infection is very small and the main cause of infection is direct patient contact, both between nursing staff and patients and even visitors. Therefore hand-washing is one of the key tools that can help us to maintain cleaner, safer hospitals."

Research / reports - how do they help the sector?

"Reports are extremely useful for the sector as they often give access to the most up-to-date research on the key hot topics that we face. Well-written new research findings are invaluable for the sector. Often new reports are a great time-saver, as they allow domestic mangers to quickly and easily absorb new ideas and information."

The ADM can be contacted on: 01661 842 708

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