18th June 2007, Ware, Herts.

Two new Healthcare Commission reports highlight the urgent need for detailed cost control, built-in reporting of live data, and clear financial accountability in the NHS. These benefits are simply and cost effectively delivered by Clematis.

Today’s announcement from the Healthcare Commission on standards in the NHS shows a worsening picture in relation to hygiene control and cleanliness. Over 7% more trusts have declared they are unable to meet hygiene standards compared to last year.

In total 28% of NHS trusts are currently unable to comply on one or more of the Hygiene Code standards:

• C4a - Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI): 14.0% (55 trusts) are unable to keep patients, staff and visitors safe with systems to ensure that risk of healthcare acquired infection to patients is reduced.
• C4c - Decontamination: 14.3% (56 trusts) are unable to properly decontaminate all reusable medical devices and manage well the risks associated with decontamination facilities.
• C21 - Care environment & hygiene: 11.0% (43 trusts) are unable to provide care in well designed and well-maintained environments.

The C21 care environment & hygiene standard requires healthcare services to be provided in environments with cleanliness levels in clinical and non-clinical areas that meet the national specification for clean NHS premises.

GreenValet’s Clematis is one of the key tools helping managers to meet the Hygiene Code standard for cleaning and hygiene. Now used in over 5,000 hospital departments Clematis records and controls stock issues and tells managers the real cost of their operations so they can manage and clean more efficiently.

Clematis helps with financial management

In October 2006 the Healthcare Commission reported that only 16% of trusts are managing their financial resources adequately for financial standing, internal control and value for money. 84% of trusts were graded fair or weak.

Clematis provides information which improves management of financial resources in cleaning, hygiene and other areas. With central stores based operations it provides better visibility; with direct supply solutions it offers better control. In both cases Clematis means you can make better purchasing decisions, buying more in bulk and negotiating better prices.

These two Healthcare Commission reports highlight the urgent need for detailed cost control, built-in reporting of live data, and clear financial accountability in the NHS. These benefits are simply and cost effectively delivered by Clematis.

About GreenValet

Green Valet is a leading supplier of stock management and recording equipment and systems used in healthcare cleaning. The company also supply secure chemical dispensing systems, 24/7 out of hours distribution systems, healthcare disposables and supplies. Green Valet’s products are used by facilities managers in healthcare domestic services, laundry and linen supply, catering and nursing. Outside the healthcare sector Green Valet is an established supplier in industrial and retail cleaning, transportation, food processing and distribution.