iStock
Medirest, the healthcare division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has extended its partnership with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) to deliver FM services across 26 sites.
UCLH provides first-class acute and specialist care in six hospitals in central London. Its missions are to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education and world-class research.
Medirest has been working with two hospitals managed by UCLH, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery for 15 years, and the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals since October 2019.
The five-year deal – including cleaning, catering, vending, portering, security, helpdesk and reception services – widens the scope of work to cover most of the trust’s estate (except for the building that houses University College Hospital on Euston Road).
Patient catering will use Medirest’s Steamplicity meals, a micro-steaming system to cook a range of raw and pre-cooked ingredients to be ready to eat within minutes. This preparation system means the food retains nutrients and freshness, but also offers the flexibility to be cooked when needed at ward level. Patients will be able to order breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The four retail outlets across the trust will comprise of customised offers. A coffee house will be opened within each, serving a selection of Costa Coffee beverages and retail ranges such as lunch meal deals. Freshly cooked meals across breakfast and lunch will continue within University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The partnership will also see Medirest and UCLH host monthly tea parties for inpatients to foster a sense of community.
To keep consistent, high standards of cleanliness, Medirest will be using its a+ cleaning system. This flexible module programme is tailored to meet UCLH’s requirements across its different locations. The comprehensive system can be scaled up depending on the specific needs, while constantly supporting infection control and decontamination.
Steve Cenci, managing director of Medirest, said: “We have established a strong partnership working closely with the hospitals to understand their specific requirements and provide solutions… and we look forward to building on existing relationships and practices to introduce new innovations across the trust.”
Linda Martin, UCLH’s director of estates and facilities, said: “We are always looking to improve the quality and efficiency of our services and we are pleased to be working with Medirest to provide the best possible service for all our patients, visitors and staff. They offer specialist knowledge that will help us achieve that through new ways of working, as well as investment in modern technology.”