Higher hygiene

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health care and adult social care services in England. One of its aims is the 'gathering and using of knowledge and expertise and working with others.' The approach of working with others is exemplified at the West London Mental Health NHS Trust where cleaning and hygiene specialist CK Group was called in to supply infection control expertise, its recommended cleaning products and qualified staff.

Following a health care associated infection (HCAI) inspection in 2009, the Trust established an action plan with CK Group.A re-inspection by CQC's HCAI inspectors in February 2010 found no breaches of the Hygiene Code and noted the improvements made.

"We allow complete choice in providing cleaning services, intensive deep cleans whenever needed, or we supply the tools to do the job," says Ian Pether, CK Group MD.

"We fully welcomed the opportunity to work with the Trust."