OCS to enhance catering, cleaning and facilities across SLaM hospitals
New menus, new look restaurants and training opportunities for service users are being served up from a new provider of key Trust services.
With our current contract for ‘soft facilities management’ – things like cleaning and catering – coming to an end it was an opportunity to make some significant changes to transform services for patients and service users and colleagues.
Using patient and service users feedback, along with extensive input from clinical, operational and dietetic teams, we created a vision for what we wanted the new contract to look like and led a competitive tender process that lasted more than six months.
The result is that OCS will take over the role of service provider from ISS Mediclean Ltd after it won the contract to provide catering, cleaning, linen and Laundry Services, waste management and pest control services but not include Trust porters, gardeners or transport staff.
Ade Odunlade, the Trust’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“This marks an exciting transformation that brings together a range of services in a more integrated way. It not only enables us to deliver meaningful improvements for patients, service users, staff, and the wider public, but also generates significant savings that will be reinvested directly into frontline care.”
As part of the new contract canteens/restaurants at the Bethlem Royal Hospital and Maudsley Hospital will be refurbished to provide an enhanced dining experience, modernised facilities and better food quality and choice.
The new service will offer 24/7 hot and cold vending options with improved access to food and drink, especially for night staff and visitors.
There will be training/employment opportunities for service users helping to support their care, recovery and future goals.
Mr Odunlade said:
“Providing these opportunities to our service users is a valuable enhancement to the support we offer at the Trust. It represents an important step in their recovery journey, enabling them to build confidence and independence in a real-world setting while remaining within a safe and supportive environment.”
Work is now underway to mobilise these services and provide as seamless a handover as possible with an aim to go live on Monday 1 December.
A working group including colleagues from key areas has now been set up and will meet weekly to drive forward the mobilisation and demobilisation.
Staff currently working with current provider ISS Mediclean Ltd will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the new provider OCS.
Work on the transition is now underway and expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Odunlade said: “We extend our sincere thanks to ISS Mediclean Ltd and its staff for their dedication and support. We also warmly welcome OCS Group UK Ltd as our new service provider and look forward to working together to continue delivering high-quality services.”
Bob Taylor, Managing Director Public Sector Facilities Management at OCS UK, said: “We’re proud and excited to begin this new partnership with the Trust, delivering essential services that support patient care, colleague wellbeing and help create welcoming environments.
This contract reflects a shared commitment to quality, inclusion and positive outcomes. We are looking to make new investment in facilities and improved catering with greater choice and quality.
We are also looking at opportunities that aid recovery and personal development for those served by the Trust, while upholding high standards across every service we provide."
