Spotlight on NHFT's dedicated Domestic and Portering Service
This week, we're shining a light on our Hotel Services and Facilities Service, with a special focus today on the incredible colleagues in our Domestic and Portering Service.
Our dedicated Domestic and Portering Service plays a vital role in keeping our hospitals and buildings safe, welcoming and accessible for patients, visitors and colleagues every day across Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
While their work often takes place behind the scenes, their contribution is essential to the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Our Domestic and Portering Service consists of around 200 colleagues, including domestic cleaners, porters and kitchen porters.
What does the Domestic and Portering Service do?
Domestic and Porter Services are two of the quiet engines that keep a hospital running smoothly. Our porter teams are responsible for moving patients and equipment, including oxygen cylinders across our sites to where they need to be. They deliver specimens, medication, patients' meals and laundry.
Our domestic colleagues work tirelessly to maintain clean, safe and infection-controlled environments. They clean wards, clinics, offices and patient areas. They carry out deep cleans following strict infection prevention protocols. They manage our waste disposal including clinical waste, general waste and recycling. They also look after the laundry, changing bed sheets and restocking the clean linen.
Supporting communities across Northamptonshire
Our service works across 55 buildings across Northamptonshire including Berrywood Hospital, St Mary's Hospital, Brackley Medical Centre, Danetre Hospital, Isebrook Hospital, Spinneyfields, Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Corby hospital, Willowbrook Health Centre and Campbell, Newland and Lotus Houses.
Prioritising patient safety
The Domestic Service works closely with the Infection Prevention and Control team to maintain rigorous cleaning standards.
All work is undertaken in line with NHFT Infection Prevention and Control policies and national cleaning standards. High-risk areas receive weekly checks, while all wards undergo monthly inspections and regular walk-through assessments.
For Antonio Casella, Operations Manager for Domestic and Porter Services, patient safety is the driving force behind everything the team does.
"I travel across the county making sure our patients and colleagues are offered the best cleaning service from our department and that our colleagues are fully trained and equipped.
"Cleaning to a high standard and getting positive feedback is very important. The management team go out and about to carry out spot checks and ensure that wards and clinical rooms have been cleaned to a high standard.
Antonio says feedback from patients, families and colleagues helps reinforce the importance of the team's work.
"We get positive feedback from patients, families and carers. Sometimes patients and families tell our porters and cleaners they can see how clean the ward is, that's really important to us. It means so much to hear that."
Valuing our colleagues
Antonio is passionate about recognising the contribution made by every colleague in the Domestic and Portering Service.
"Our colleagues provide a vital service in ensuring we have clean, safe and efficient hospitals and clinic areas so that NHFT can deliver high-quality, compassionate patient care.
"I tell our colleagues that without them, we could not run our hospitals. The teams work incredibly hard every day behind the scenes to deliver an excellent service. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated team."
Meet some of our colleagues, hear how they make a difference and why they enjoy their jobs.
Award-winning service
Father and daughter duo Jemma and Danny Roscoe won the prestigious Portering Team of the Year Award at the national MyPorter Awards for their work at NHFT, in February 2023.
Jemma who worked as a porter at Isebrook Hospital in Wellingborough and Danny who worked at St Mary's Hospital in Kettering, were recognised by the judging panel for their outstanding work ethic, positive attitudes, and dedication to patient care. Read more here: Delighted dad and daughter win national NHS award.
Making a difference
Our Domestic and Portering Service is a cornerstone of safe, high quality care across NHFT Their dedication ensures our hospitals remain places of comfort, dignity and safety for everyone who walks through our doors. We are proud to shine a light on their work this week and grateful for the commitment they show all year round.