Contractor cleans NHS flood

02 January 2013

When flooding forced the closure of the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Centre near Bristol, contractor Regent Cleaning helped get the vital facility operational again in just two weeks instead of the anticipated two months.

While other NHSBT sites around the country took in stocks of blood to continue supplying hospitals in the Midlands, South West and parts of the South East, Filton - home to one of the world's largest blood processing centres - was closed as the fire services pumped water from both inside and outside the water-logged premises.

“The fire brigade did a great job in getting the car parks and site access areas de-flooded, but a major clean-up operation was clearly required inside,” said Regent Cleaning general manager, Hugh Scott. “We already had Regent personnel on site but knowing the client needed major help, we mobilised several other Regent personnel and additional machinery from the area to help out.”

Working round the clock over two nights and a weekend, Regent helped clear the flood water and remove damaged items. The team confounded an anticipated site down-time of six weeks to two months, by helping get the building open within a week. Regent next moved to reinstate hygiene standards in production and testing areas to clinical standards in order for the site to pass SWAB tests, before becoming fully operational again in just two weeks.

In praise of Regent Cleaning’s input, NHSBT regional facility manager Wayne Tannahill commented: “Hugh and his team did a fantastic job in organising and delivering a first rate response to a major flood incident at Filton under very challenging circumstances. The work undertaken by NHSBT has an impact on patient wellbeing and lives, and Regent’s efforts helped ensure we maintained our service to them.”

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a joint England and Wales Special Health Authority. Its remit includes the provision of a reliable, efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS in England and North Wales. It is also the organ donor organisation for the UK and is responsible for matching and allocating donated organs

In addition to a team of seven cleaners under a site manager, Regent also provides a staff of six porters at Filton. The project overall is managed by Regent's Cardiff office.