During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, NHS hospital trusts faced critical staffing shortages as in-house cleaning teams were unable to work, and new wards were rapidly created to handle the surge of patients. Within 24 hours of receiving their request, Top Mops mobilised 80% of the required cleaning staff from our existing workforce, thanks to their rigorous training and willingness to step up. Within two weeks, all positions were filled, and we provided 24/7 cleaning services, including barrier cleans for COVID-19 wards, enabling hospitals to focus on other pressing healthcare challenges.
The Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic created extraordinary operational challenges for NHS hospital trusts:
- Staffing Shortages: In-house cleaning teams were unable to work during the pandemic, creating significant gaps in essential cleaning services.
- New Medical Wards: Areas not typically used for medical assistance were converted into COVID-19 wards, requiring immediate, specialised cleaning support.
- Urgent Needs: Hospitals required fully trained cleaning operatives on short notice to ensure safe and hygienic conditions in these critical care areas.
Solution
Top Mops quickly responded to the NHS Trusts’ requests within days of the first lockdown in 2020:
- Rapid Mobilisation of Staff: Within the first 24 hours, we deployed 80% of the required cleaning operatives using our existing workforce. We achieved this by sending out a companywide email, and our staff stepped up to the challenge, offering to help.
- Comprehensive Training: Thanks to our rigorous existing training, staff required only supplementary education on barrier cleaning procedures to prepare for the unique demands of cleaning COVID-19 wards. As well as receiving bespoke PPE and training on how to fit it correctly.
- Full Coverage in Two Weeks: By the end of two weeks, all positions were covered, providing 24/7 cleaning services for the COVID-19 wards. This ensured that hospitals could maintain hygiene standards without compromising on other critical healthcare needs.
Training and Compliance
All cleaning operatives deployed to the COVID-19 wards were fully trained in:
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Adult and Child Safeguarding
- Colour Coding for Cleaning Areas
- Manual Handling
- Barrier Cleaning Techniques
This comprehensive training ensured operatives could perform their duties safely and effectively, even in the most demanding environments.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Top Mops remained flexible to the evolving needs of the NHS Trusts:
- Dynamic Staffing Levels: When work fluctuated, we adjusted staffing levels accordingly, allowing operatives to return to their original jobs and sites when demand decreased.
- 24/7 Service: We provided continuous 24-hour coverage, 7 days a week, for over 85 weeks, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning support during the pandemic’s peak.
Results
Our collaboration with various NHS hospital trusts during the pandemic delivered the following key outcomes:
- Seamless Continuity: Hospitals were able to maintain critical cleaning operations across COVID-19 wards without disruption.
- Operational Relief: By taking over the cleaning challenges, we allowed hospitals to focus on other pressing healthcare demands during the pandemic.
- Fully Trained Workforce: All operatives met the highest standards for healthcare cleaning, ensuring safe and hygienic environments for patients and staff.
Testimonial
“The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in extra in-patient areas opening requiring cleaning, higher frequencies of cleaning needing to be input across the St Mary’s site generally and inevitably some of our substantive staff being away from the business.
We have been able to fully rely on the support we have received from Top Mops, who have been able to supply us with cleaning staff on an almost immediate basis, which has helped us immensely at this difficult time. We have been able to vary the demand over the months and just recently had to request a much larger rota of staff which was accommodated very quickly. The flexibility and constant communication between ourselves and Top Mops has been so helpful and very much appreciated.”
Gayle Perryman, Head of Cleanliness – Facilities Department, St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight
