A number of professional associations representing the Estates and Facilities (E&F) workforce in healthcare have come together to launch a new national day to recognise and celebrate the critical work of all Estates and Facilities staff and their role in the provision of healthcare services.
The first National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day will be celebrated on June 15, 2022 and annually thereafter on the third Wednesday in June. It will recognise the role of the E&F workforce, and be a day to invite all to reflect on the work done by these professionals and the value this gives to patients and staff.
The Covid pandemic raised the media and public focus on the NHS like never before, and the work of many of those in E&F roles was also reflected in media and television reports, often for the first time, in ways that raised the profile of this vital staff group.
The launch of a National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day will keep the importance of E&F in healthcare front of mind, raise the profiles of the professions, and support recruitment into and sustainability of the professions into the future.
Our amazing unsung heroes in Estates and Facilities work tirelessly to keep all our services running smoothly, 24/7, 365 days a year – every colleague plays a vital role – and we would like to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing E&F colleagues and celebrate all they do. #HealthEFMDay
Thank you to our amazing Estates and Facilities colleagues
The day in pictures…
Meet our Estates and Facilities team
Catering Manager - Joby Scaria
How long have you been in the role? Eight months
What does your role involve?
Inpatient catering services
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love the outstanding level of collaboration and challenges in my role; tailoring patient dietary requirements and maintaining consistency in food and hygiene service standards on a daily basis across all our sites.
I enjoy planning patient menus, scheduling suppliers onboard and coordinating catering service training to support the team.
It is genuinely refreshing to be part of a Facilities team that works harmoniously towards patient service standards.
Charlton Lane Hospital Facilities Team
Name: Franco Prisco
Job title: Facilities Supervisor
How long have you been in the role?
Eight months
What does your role involve?
I support the Facilities team
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I like making the patients feel happy and comfortable during their stay with us at Charlton Lane Hospital.
Name: Gill Willats
Job title: Facilities Assistant
How long have you been in the role?
28 years
What does your role involve?
Cleaning and mopping the bedrooms and hospital facilities
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I like my job most of the time
Name: Joseph Kurien
Job title: Facilities Assistant
How long have you been in the role? Four years
What does your role involve? Cleaning
What do you enjoy most about your role? Providing patient satisfaction
Name: Kim Mitchell
Job title: Hotel Services Team Leader
How long have you been in the role?
14 years
What does your role involve?
Training my team members, working on the wards and outer areas of the hospital and helping the Facilities supervisors.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love working with the cleaning team and on the wards.
Name: Roser Belda
Job title: Catering Team Leader
How long have you been in the role?
- Three years as a catering assistant
- Two years as a team leader
What does your role involve?
- Preparing, regenerating and serving food for patients
- Food orders
- Kitchen paperwork and forms
- Catering staff rota
- Ensuring the catering staff training is up to date
- Assisting the supervisor
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The interaction with patients, doing the food orders and menus for the patients and special diets. I love the variety of tasks in my job.
Name: Ken Leech
Job title: Porter
How long have you been in the role? Two years three months
What does your role involve?
Transporting patients, drug collection, delivering post and some cleaning
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Everything – plus making a difference to people’s lives. I love hospital life – I always have.
Name: Ollie Bailey
Job title: Porter
How long have you been in the role? Eight months
What does your role involve?
- Collecting and delivering the post
- Patient transport – hospital appointments and home visits
- Various and varied roles around the hospital
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I like the variety and flexibility of my role.
Space Utilisation Manager - Sherry Hext
How long have you been in the role?
Since March 2022
What does your role involve?
- To support the Estates and Facilities Professional Services in the allocation and reallocation of space within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the need for clinical, office and general working space.
- To ensure the effective management of the Estate and to minimise the costs involved. The Trust requires a framework to manage the allocation of space and the principles that govern these decisions.
- To help ensure use of all available space is fit for purpose, compliant with standards, and its use is maximised.
- Ensure wherever possible that departments/teams have the space that they require
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy organising things to make them fit for purpose and in turn making staff and patients’ environments and day-to-day journeys through the buildings and offices more sustainable and hopefully pleasant.
Maintenance Engineer - Stephen Sykes
How long have you been in the role?
7 years
What does your role involve?
Installation, monitoring and maintenance of all mechanical hardware throughout our hospitals, inpatient units, clinical and non-clinical sites.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the variety of different challenges across Trust properties. I like being part of an organisation dedicated to helping and caring for people in need and working as part of a team with similar views.
Business and Information Manager - Natasha Wallace
How long have you been in the role?
22 months
What does your role involve?
I manage the department’s internal communications to ensure important information is cascaded to colleagues Trust-wide. This includes sending global (Trust-wide) emails, drafting news and information articles for our staff e-bulletin (Indi-to-go) and department newsletter, as well as social media posts. I also manage relevant email inboxes and maintain the Estates and Facilities staff intranet pages, which contain an array of information.
I was responsible for redeveloping the Site Co-ordinator (SCO) role, providing guidance and relevant training, as well as ensuring all required buildings have an appointed SCO.
External communication is also paramount in my role and includes the collation and return of Freedom of Information requests, contractor liaison and responding to general enquiries from external stakeholders.
I also manage and co-ordinate the Estates and Facilities Administration team to support the delivery of a comprehensive support service, which enables our department and its various teams to meet the needs of services users, colleagues and members of the public.
The Trust’s Sites and Services Directory falls within my remit too. I ensure that this remains up to date and is a suitable resource for colleagues Trust-wide.
I also support the Senior Management team to compile annual NHS Premises Assurance Model (PAM) and the Estates Return and Information Collection (ERIC). I also get involved with key performance indicators and ensure Trust information, such as policies, remains in date.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the variety of the work. No two days are the same, which makes my role more challenging and interesting. I also enjoy working and interacting with a range of colleagues throughout the Trust and making a difference to others.
Fire Safety Team
Names: Andy Sanders, Steve Rowe and Barry Davis
How long have you been in the role?
Andy two years; Steve and Barry none months. Between us we have more than 75 years of safety knowledge.
What do your roles involve?
We look after all aspects of fire safety, including:
- Fire safety policy
- Fire safety procedures
- Fire safety folder
- Fire risk assessments for all GHC properties
- Fire training for 5,000+ colleagues
- Fire alarm systems
- Fire plans
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire dampers
- Fire compartmentation
- Managing fire contracts
- Risk visits
- Working closely with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
What do you enjoy most about your roles?
We enjoy the variety of daily challenges we face – no two days are the same.
We love the positive attitude of colleagues towards fire training and working closely as part of a greater Estates team. Camaraderie has really grown over the last two years through Covid.
Housekeeper - Wendy Dominy
How long have you been in the role?
Three years
What does your role involve?
Ensuring the patient rooms and all other public areas of the hospital are cleaned to the highest standard, including reporting any maintenance issues as they arise.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Getting to know the patients and their characters so I’m not treating them as a statistic within the system. I also enjoy the diversity of my job, as no two days are the same.
Also, I work alongside a very supportive team and feel valued in all that I do.
Capital Delivery Team
Names: Kyra Boon, Gavin Rowcraft, Debbie Armstrong, Joy Turk, Elaine Hampson and Jayne Shaw.
How long have you been in the role?
From 19 years to 28 years respectively.
What do your roles involve?
We are responsible for planning, organising and directing the completion of specific projects for an organisation, while ensuring these projects are on time, on budget and within scope. The projects aim to improve the environment and wellbeing for staff and patients.
We agree on priorities with clients, plan resources, create project plans and communicate internally and externally with the client.
Project management is a skill that is absolutely essential. We must be able to communicate their visions and articulate a project’s goal in a way that everyone can grasp for themselves.
The challenges and obstacles we face every day are different. It is about co-ordination and control. We figure out what to do next despite a high amount of uncertainty, with information available and information which can be collected.
It is human nature to miss out on things. At best what we do is automate all the communication that needs to be. It is important to keep the stakeholders informed and enable them to update and collaborate project progress, tasks, issues, risks and change requests. And of course, there are meetings after meetings!
What do you enjoy most about your roles?
We all enjoy a challenge! There really is no typical day, as tasks and time can vary day on day, dependent on what a project requires.
We are a happy, friendly and productive team!
Purchasing Coordinator - Sarah Green
How long have you been in the role?
10 years
What does your role involve?
I am responsible for ordering all the patient food and drink supplies required at our physical health sites on a weekly basis, from providers such as Apetito, Castell Howell and Creed, as well as ensuring we have all the provisions we need for our patients from suppliers such as NHS Supply Chain.
I maintain all order forms and ensure stock sheets are up to date for all sites.
I also purchase all cleaning and paper products for 41 sites across the trust.
I raise numerous requisitions throughout the year on our ordering system Integra Centros for all of the above, and for any catering equipment orders and receipt many, many, many, many invoices.
Throughout the year there are special themed events for our patients to enjoy which I create posters and menus for.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy getting involved in events such as Nutrition and Hydration Week, and celebrations like Christmas and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Receptionist - Jenny Garwood
How long have you been in the role?
I have worked for the Trust for 40 years part-time, and have been a receptionist at Rikenel in Gloucester since April 1993.
What does your role involve?
My main roles are answering the phone and greeting patients, visitors and colleagues visiting Rikenel from other Trust sites. I also help different departments with various tasks.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy meeting people and being able to help if I can.
Estates Systems/CAFM Officer - Mike Prosser
How long have you been in the role?
10 weeks
What does your role involve?
The main part of my role involves me allocating and monitoring jobs reported through MICAD, our Estates Fault Reporting Portal.
I deal with calls from people chasing progress on faults which have been reported, assist with stores and put orders on when required.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Working with others as part of a team and helping when and where I can.
Fleet Services
Names: Left to right: Graham Povey (Facilities Operations Manager), Louise Thompson (Deputy Facilities Manager) and Pauline Worrall (Fleet Administrator)
How long have you been in your roles?
The team was created in October 2020.
What do your roles involve?
We look after 105 vehicles, which include vans, cars and adapted vehicles, which are based in various locations around the county.
We are the first point of call for all fleet vehicle enquiries and issues, which can include mileage sheets, damage reports, fuel cards, maintenance and contracts.
We also complete reviews on vehicle usage and will be visiting more sites to audit vehicles in the coming months.
The team is here to ensure that all staff are safe and compliant when driving fleet vehicles.
We currently have a number of projects in process, including creating a vehicle and driver database, coordinating an increased number of audit checks and vehicle contract reviews.
Hopefully we will be getting out and about more to meet the teams using vehicles and gaining a better understanding of how they are used.
What do you enjoy most about your roles?
The variety – one day is never the same as the next! Although there are jobs that need to be done on a regular basis, a substantial amount of time is spent responding to queries and issues that come in day to day.
With more than 100 vehicles to monitor, there is always something going on – whether it’s an insurance claim which needs processing, organising MoT tests or checking and inputting mileage sheets for all the vehicles.
Head of Sustainability - James Powell
How long have you been in the role?
Just over three years.
What does your role involve?
I lead on sustainability for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS FT. My role consists of strategic development and coordination of the Trust’s Green Plan, to ensure we continue to reduce our carbon footprint in line with NHS Net Zero targets. This is currently being achieved through the delivery of a number of LED lighting upgrades and the installation of roof-mounted solar PV to reduce energy demand. We have also introduced a number of electric vehicle charging points across our sites for EV drivers.
It doesn’t end there though. Sustainability in the NHS is a very multifaceted agenda which requires a holistic approach to reduce the impact upon the environment and ensure economic stability, whilst driving social value across our communities. This task cannot be achieved by one individual alone, and that is why we have assembled a dedicated team for sustainability which expands across the Trust.
We are also working with internal stakeholders and external business partners to embed sustainable development across the Trust.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The role is so varied and no two days are the same; this makes sustainability such an exciting role to work in. Myself and my team find sustainability very rewarding. We take proactive steps towards protecting the environment which will provide longevity towards public health services and reducing inequalities within our communities.
Stores Manager - Peter May
How long have you been in the role?
Since August 2021
What does your role involve?
I assist with:
- Anything to do with MICAD, our Estates fault reporting portal
- Overseeing annual leave for the engineers
- Helping resolve any problems or issues the engineers may have
- Running the new stores department
- Raising orders for materials and contractors
- Occasional hands-on assistance with repairs and installations
- Taking part in the on-call rota
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I just enjoy working as part of a great team of people!
Medical Equipment Manager - Ali Hartless
How long have you been in the role?
26 months
What does your role involve?
This role involves anything related to the Trust’s portfolio of medical equipment – any medical equipment that a patient may use or come into contact with while using our services.
My job is varied. It most definitely has its challenges and at times can be overwhelming. Ultimately, my responsibility is to the people that use our services and to ensure I have played a positive part in their patient journey.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
No two days are ever the same. Some days require every ounce of resourcefulness I can gather, yet I may still not achieve those planned daily tasks; while others I get a sense of achievement and satisfaction that I have made a positive difference for our patients and work colleagues.
Facilities Manager - Debbie Briggs
How long have you been in the role?
Four years
What does your role involve?
The day-to-day running of the Facilities Department at Wotton Lawn Hospital, covering cleaning, portering and catering.
My roles include:
- Supporting my team where needed
- Guiding my supervisors to support clinical staff with any queries or requests
- Supporting patients with their catering needs
- Supporting new staff training and recruitment
- Providing a quality cleaning service to our Gloucester locality buildings
- Supporting colleagues with reporting Estates issues
- Dealing with suppliers, menu updates and changes
- Dealing with daily issues that arise which involve Estates and Facilities
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy all aspects of my job. I enjoy solving problems but get real satisfaction when I can help a patient or colleague who is struggling or having issues and making the situation better for them.
Working at Wotton Lawn can be a real challenge sometimes, but the support of the team and clinical teams do make these days better. I am forever grateful to my Facilities team for their hard work and dedication over the last two years. The team make me feel very proud to be their manager.
I am also very proud to be part of our Trust’s amazing Estates and Facilities team.
Porters - Stroud General Hospital
Name: Dave Stephen
How long have you been in the role?
Five years
What does your role involve?
Assisting in ensuring the smooth running of the hospital with and for colleagues and all healthcare professionals by:
- Assisting with patient transfers to appointments
- Ordering and keeping laundry supplies up to date
- Sorting and delivering post and parcels to departments
- Keeping wards and other areas clear of dirty laundry, clinical waste and rubbish for recycling
- Delivering meals to wards
- Delivering and sorting items for the supply chain to wards and other departments
- Delivering and collecting notes from outpatient departments and medical secretaries
- Taking post to the Post Office in the evening (Monday-Friday)
- Meeting the demand of various medical gases to and from wards and departments
- Collecting samples for pathology from departments and ensuring they are placed in storage for collection, and personally (porters), taking samples to Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals’ Pathology at weekends, bank holidays and when required
- Taking or picking up supplies form other local hospitals for MIIU, wards or departments, when required
- Undertaking regular and daily audits of radios, water flushing and wheelchairs
- Assisting contractors to access outbuildings etc.
- Keeping an eye on automatic door security, lighting etc. and reporting where necessary.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Supporting and working with colleagues in one GREAT BIG team, meeting other professionals, supporting and assisting inpatients and members of the public while accessing the hospital – and having a laugh!
Name: Nick Vowles
How long have you been in the role?
Four-and-a-half years
What does your role involve?
Providing a service which helps and supports all aspects of the smooth running of the hospital, including moving patients to X-ray, taking specimens to Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals and ordering linen requirements. Although I love working as part of a fantastic team, I also enjoy the challenge of working on my own and using my own initiative.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy working as part of a fabulous portering team, where we all share an honest and trustworthy relationship, and communicating at all levels. I also enjoy the challenge of working independently at times, problem solving. We work hard but also try to have some fun!
