Cleaning Hygiene Today Cleaning Hygiene Magazine
This year’s annual MyCleaning Awards, which took place on 25 February saw Medirest colleagues being rewarded for their dedication and the impact of the work they do within domestic services.
The awards are organised in collaboration with NHS England and receive hundreds of entries from across the UK’s healthcare sector. The awards recognise the unsung heroes within healthcare, shining a spotlight on the great, essential work they do.
Domestic of the Year – Elzbieta Biel (Ela), University College London Hospital
Biel is an extraordinary example of dedication, resilience, and professional excellence. As a key member of the hospital’s cleaning team, Biel’s contributions go far beyond expectations, creating a safe and welcoming environment for patients, families, and staff. She is based in the Grafton Way Building at UCLH, home to Proton Beam Therapy and haematology wards and theatres, where cutting-edge technology meets compassionate care. Having battled her own cancer treatment, Biel has been recognised for her unwavering commitment and empathy, shown through meticulous attention to detail and constant high standards of cleanliness and safety.
Colin Simpson, Head of Facilities, UCLH said: “Ela’s resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication make her an inspiration to us all. Her efforts have not only improved hospital standards but have also left a lasting impact on her colleagues and the patients she serves. She is truly a role model in the field of healthcare domestics, and I am honoured to celebrate her outstanding contributions. Congratulations Ela, on this well-earned recognition. Your hard work and compassionate spirit are a testament to the invaluable role you play in our hospital community.”
Auditor of the Year – Elaine Farmer, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Farmer won the title of Auditor of the Year for living and breathing her mission to raise and maintain cleanliness standards at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. She takes pride in her work – attention to detail and outstanding performance has stood out throughout her long career as a domestic in operating theatres – so much so that she was handpicked by the senior management team to be trained as a cleaning auditor. She upskilled and embraced the changes, taking on more responsibility and building relationships to ensure open communication, as well as inspiring others.
Farmer said: “I am truly honored to receive this award. As Blackpool is my local hospital, I am committed to ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness. Being recognised among such strong competition is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continue striving for excellence.”
Medirest colleague Alan Sutton was recognised for portering services in the MyPorter Awards which took place on the 26 February.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Alan Sutton, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Alan Sutton, Portering Supervisor, was recognised for his extraordinary 44 years of service to patient care at Mersey West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. His commitment, empathy, and leadership have made a profound and lasting impact on countless patients, families, and colleagues. Sutton’s role extends to some of the most delicate moments in patient care. His work in the bereavement and mortuary services demonstrates an extraordinary sensitivity and respect for grieving families. His actions consistently embody the values of compassion, professionalism, and excellence, making him a truly deserving candidate for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Russell Blake, Managing Director – Healthcare at Compass Group UK & Ireland, commented: “It is brilliant to see our people recognised across the roles of portering and cleaning. They do critical work and without them, hospitals could not function, so they are integral to patient care. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, our teams at Medirest are very proud of our winners and finalists.”
Medirest, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, operates across over 20 NHS partner healthcare Trusts, employing several thousand employees to deliver the very best standards in services such as catering, cleaning, portering and security.
