case study
‘Achieving the Perfect Balance’
How the University Hospitals of Leicester
NHS Trust Balanced Patient Safety, Quality
and Cost with an Innovative Solution for its
Hospital Sterile Services...
finding a solution:
the university hospitals of leicester nhs trust
+Provide a new income stream for the Trust while
is one of the largest and busiest teaching Trusts in the country
providing a wide range of services through its three acute
hospitals: Glenfield, Leicester General and Leicester Royal
Infirmary (LRI). Conducting thousands of surgical interventions
each year, including renowned specialist cardiac and Maxillofacial procedures the Trust relies on the safe and efficient
decontamination of over six million surgical instruments each year.
the challenge
With increasing demand, ageing, non-compliant in-house
decontamination facilities and the pressing need to meet strict
national compliance standards, the Trust needed to upgrade its
sterile services capability as a matter of urgency across the three
hospitals. The existing in-house facilities at LRI and Glenfield
hospitals, although safe, lacked efficiency and did not meet the
required standards. The Trust was further challenged to deliver
cost efficiencies while at the same time meeting increased
demand as a result of a corresponding uplift in activity. A final
element for consideration was the need to demonstrate a reducing
carbon footprint in line with the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy.
The solution had to meet several requirements:
+Demonstrate enhanced quality and productivity
in addition to full operational compliance
+Replace existing, out-dated non-compliant estate while
at the same time allow the Trust to retain control of its
decontamination service
ensuring cost efficiencies in existing demand
The Trust considered its options, supported by the Department
of Health’s National Decontamination Initiative. It could invest
considerable vital resources to upgrade the in-house sterile
services departments; outsource the entire service to a third
party provider or form a joint venture with a specialist partner.
After conducting a thorough market review, the Trust chose
Synergy Health as its partner in an innovative joint venture to
create a state-of-the-art decontamination facility at Meridian
Park, Leicester. In doing so it realised the large capital injection
required to create compliant, efficient, state-of-the-art facilities
as well as accessing years of specialist technical experience,
research and development which is Synergy Health’s day to
day business.
“This is an excellent – and timely – example of the
public and private sectors working together towards the
best possible outcomes for patients’ safety and for the
surgeons and clinical support staff who rely on safe and
efficient surgical equipment in order to do their work.”
Neil Doverty, Divisional Manager for Clinical Support,
Leicester’s Hospitals
case study
‘Achieving the Perfect Balance’
the new facility
Synergy Health invested £3.5 million to create a decontamination
‘super-centre’ at a strategically located industrial park with rapid
access to the three hospitals.
The facility was specifically designed to be able to accommodate
significant increase in demand with a view to growing organically with
surgical activity as well as servicing neighbouring community services
such as GPs, chiropodists and dentists, thereby providing a new
income stream for the Trust.
making it happen
A project joint management board was created comprising clinicians,
surgical management, human resources and Synergy Health to
manage the transition process of both the service and a fundamental
element – the staff who provided the service.
Following formal accreditation of the facility, the service of Leicester
Royal Infirmary transferred, followed by the Glenfield two months
later. All 60 highly-skilled NHS employees were transferred over to the
employment of Synergy Health via TUPE, ensuring critical experience
and head count was maintained. The team now continues to support
UHL in a new, designed-for-purpose working environment.
“Our focus is always on patient safety, but we also
ensure that the working environment is first class for
our employees and that helps to make sure that our
service is first class.”
Dr. Adrian Coward, CEO Synergy Health
reducing carbon impact
As a recipient of the Carbon Trust Standard, Synergy Health
ensured the operation include advanced technologies to enable CO2
reduction. These included an intuitive boiler system, energy efficient
lighting, hyperefficient compressors and an intelligent central system.
the outcomes
Through this innovative joint venture partnership with Synergy
Health, UHL is now capable of processing more than three
times its daily demand for surgical instruments to the highest
quality and efficiency standards – therefore underpinning
patient safety. The 16,000ft2 facility complies with the Medical
Device Directive and stringent international standards and the
capital identified to upgrade the existing in-house facilities has
been released for patient care.
Both the Trust and Synergy Health are extremely proud
of this partnership which demonstrates the best of public
and private sector collaboration.
“Harnessing the latest technologies and
procedures, this flagship centre will play a key
role in providing cost-effective solutions to the
NHS at a time when it is under huge pressure
to make savings”
Dr. Adrian Coward
For more information about how Synergy Health can work with you to find innovative solutions to your
sterile and linen services requirements please contact:
P: +44 (0)1582 501234 / E: [email protected] / W: www.synergyhealthplc.com