SOCIETY of HOSPITAL

 

LINEN SERVICE and

 

 

LAUNDRY MANAGERS

 

 

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MESSAGE BOARD        LAST UPDATED        01/01/2012

 
 
 

2012 Handbook  

Handbooks have been sent out by post. If you think you should have received one but have not, then please let us know. handbook@linenmanager.co.uk  for further details.

Ironer handbook  

This is the must have for all those who are seeking to improve their ironer performance. Invaluable information on all aspects of the ironing functions, together with fault finding and solutions.

(click here).

Conference 2012  

Dates for your diary. Tuesday 17th – Thursday 19th April 2012The Park Inn hotel, York. Exhibition stands will shortly be available, further details from Suzanne, email her at Suzanne.crellin@nobles.dhss.gov.im 

Check out the job vacancy?

Situations Vacant (click on).

 

Nurses uniforms  

Do the Department of Health uniform rules put nurses and patients at risk?  (click here)

Conference 2011  

All those who attended found the papers most invigorating and appeared to enjoy themselves in the limited free time. If you did not attend a prece of the conference

is available (click here).

North West meeting with a difference

The North West’s March meeting was hosted by A.R.Materials Handling ltd, and to show how innovative the company is, it took place at a go karting venue. The meeting was

well attended and the business papers were extremely informative, however members minds were still focused on their driving experience, and how fast they had lapped. Some even managed to settle old scores by shunting colleagues into the tyre walls. At the end it became obvious that it was a battle between the good guys from Lancashire and the not so good guys from over the Pennines (Yorkshire). Winner of the day was Andrew Donnegan, with a close second Ian Hargreaves followed in third place by Phil Fortin. A stewards enquiry is under way, as it has been suggested that the winner was using performance enhancing substances. (see photos).

www.linenmanager.co.uk/conference.html

Reports.

Why re-invent the wheel. The following is a selection of available reports. (click here).

Membership subscriptions 

Good news for those who do not like writing cheques. As well as payment by BACS the society can also accept payment using credit cards. This also applies to conference and training courses etc.

Best practice guide for Launderette services 

A best practice guide has now been published. The guide gives lots of useful advice on the setting up of a launderette in health care premises, choice of equipment, location,

and training etc. Copies were given to members at the conference in Buxton. Should anyone else require a copy, then please email details to info@linenmanager.co.uk

Framework Agreement  
See paper to be given by Buying Solutions at the April conference
Linen usage  
A recent survey among members revealed significant increases in linen usage over the past 2 years. Increases are as a result of Trust's implementing
stricter hygiene policies in an attempt to reduce HAI's. Further details available.
Safety  
A recent accident has caused concern throughout the industry. The TSA have issued guidance for inclusion in safety policies. Copies available.
Contract Monitoring  
A presentation on contract Monitoring is available. Further details are available. info@linenmanager.co.uk
 

Regional Meetings : (Further details in members area)

 

North West & Yorkshire meetings

17th November 2010 Royal Bolton Hospital

26th January 2011 Rexodan chemicals

30th March 2011 AR Handling ltd

Further details and invitation from:  meetings@linenmanager.co.uk

 

Midland region.

Further details from Paul Gibson 01204 390693

 

North East meetings

December 2010

Further details from Reg Ramsden 01642 624046 ) 

 
 
South Wales
Further details from Mike Pimm / john Gallagher 01633 623881
 

Scotland region. No meetings planned..

 

Northern Ireland:  No meetings planned.

 

Good Practice guide 
All members should have received their copy of the Best Practice guide. Copies have now been sent to trust Chief executives, and some positive feedback has been received.

 

HSG(95)18  Guidelines for processing Healthcare textiles. (click here).
Fire code HTM 87  Guidelines on textiles suitable for use in Healthcare premises. (click here).
Curtain Alert!  
Advice has now been issued from the Department of Health regarding the flame retardancy of curtains   (click here).
Society Mailing :
If you wish to be included on the Society’s mailing list, If you are a supplier or a manager requiring information.

Then please email / write or phone your details. info@linenmanager.co.uk 

Uniform & Work wear guidance  
After a long wait, the guidance document from the Department of Health has now been published. ((click here).

Uniform: an evidence review of the microbiological significance of uniforms and uniform policy in the prevention

and control of healthcare-associated infections. Report to the Department of Health (England)  ((click here). 
National Occupational standards 
Essential for the introduction of NVQ’s for linen service staff. Details upon request.

Medical Devices Alert     (www.mhra.gov.uk)  MDA/2007/031

Laundering of Hoists and Slings are again causing problems, check to ensure you know what to do.

 

PASA Framework agreement.

Details available and members comments.  email  info@linenmanager.co.uk

Health Service Journal more information on cleaning contracts.
 ((click here).
Health Service Journal calls for return of inhouse cleaning.
 ((click here).
Vat:
 (click here).
Storage of bleach:
See what advice the Hse gave to one health Authority. ((click here).

Training.

Email for details of planned courses  info@linenmanager.co.uk 

Guidance on Uniforms and Clothing worn in the delivery of Patient care.  
Anyone requiring a copy of this useful guidance, published by the RCN should email info@linenmanager.co.uk
Agenda for change - gradings

Several managers have sent details of staff gradings - see members area. (click here).

Training courses
               i) Essential hygiene training for laundry staff (1 day)             
               ii) Linen services for contract monitors. (1 day)
Job Profiles   National profiles have now been written for Linen Room Assistants, Sewing Room Assistants and 
Laundry Supervisors  (click here).
Laundering advice for curtains.  (click here).
North East (Draft) Contingency plan.  (click  here).
Paper on "Survival of Enterococci during hospital laundry processing.
Paper by Kathy Orr, Department of Microbiology, Freeman hospital.
New Standard 
BS EN ISO 22612:2005 Clothing for protection against infectious agents - Test method for resistance to dry 
microbial penetration. Further details upon request.
New Standards (BS EN 13795-1 :2002)
Surgical drapes, gowns & clean air suits, used as medical devices, for Patients, clinical staff and equipment. 
Part 1 General requirements for manufacture, process & products.
BS EN 14065 :2002  
Textiles – laundry processed textiles – Bio contamination control systems.
BS ISO 9398  1-4 2003
Definitions and testing of capacity and consumption characteristics for: Flatwork ironing machines, Batch drying 
tumblers, Washing tunnels
 & Washer extractors.
BS EN 13726
Test methods for primary wound dressings – waterproof, conformity, odour control
  BS EN 3175
Professional care, dry-cleaning & wet cleaning o fabrics & garments.
Dirty little secrets
An article published in THE TIMES (04/12/2002) highlighted the need for National standards in the processing 
of health care linen. Reference was made to the Watt report, which followed the salmonella incident at Victoria 
hospital, Glasgow, where a recommendation was that all staff uniforms should be laundered on site. Other 
reference was made to National  Audit office report, European Standard on bio-contamination and the way in 
which the French perceive our industry developing.

Market Share

The Society hold a database showing the market share of NHS work by each supplier. (Further details available)

 Benchmarking information

Proforma & Example of cost base (see information page)

Medical Devices Agency

The use of cotton or polyester / cotton blends will not be banned. Factors to be considered when deciding whether or

not to adopt the EU standard will involve, type of surgical procedure & assessment of risk involved. Priority of fabric

properties desired, fluid resistance, liquid absorption, processing requirements, sterilization, laundry finishes, cost

 & expected life. Further details available.