Masterton Medical Centre has been delivering primary health care to the wider Masterton community since 2002. The medical centre, one of the largest in New Zealand, employs over 70 staff to provide over 22,000 patients with General Practitioner (GP) services ranging from vaccinations to minor surgery.
The brief
Masterton Medical Centre needed an experienced partner who could provide a range of cleaning and hygiene services and maintain a clean, safe hygienic environment for the large numbers of patients, staff and visitors to the medical centre.
The cleaning service needed to be appropriate for a healthcare environment with high footfall so understanding and experience of infection control and health and safety standards were key elements of the brief.
How we helped
With extensive experience in the health sector servicing hospitals, District Hospital Boards (DHB) and medical centres around New Zealand, we understand what is involved in cleaning a health environment, adhering to infection control standards and high service level expectations. As a result of our experience with other health sector client sites, including Wairarapa DHB, the OCS team were able to introduce the microfibre cleaning system on site which cleans more effectively than traditional methods, reaching into surface pores to remove organic material, and reducing cross-contamination and infectious outbreaks. The microfibre system has the additional benefits of reducing water and chemical usage and increasing productivity, resulting in a more cost effective solution for the client.
At Masterton Medical Centre this experience is further supported by frequent engagement with the Infection Control Coordinator. The relationship between this key member of staff and our Contract Management Team, ensures we have an in depth understanding of the client’s specific cleaning and hygiene requirements. The client keeps us abreast of any changes to the daily routines, or areas requiring special attention as they arise, and the OCS team provide a flexible service responding quickly to any additional requests or changes to the schedule.
The benefits to the client
OCS has provided cleaning services to Masterton Medical since 2006. Over this time, we have established a mutually beneficial relationship, the key to which is our proactive contract management approach. Through frequent engagement with key client stakeholders we ensure we have a grasp of their evolving needs, anticipating requirements and delivering on them.
Our experience in the health sector includes over 17 years servicing Masterton Hospital for Wairarapa District Health Board. Now based on Masterton Hospital grounds, Masterton Medical Centre benefits from our existing presence on site, which includes our OCS Health Team at the Wairarapa DHB and the branch office for our local OCS Commercial Team. Having our local and contract management teams in close proximity to the site ensures frequent communication and interaction with the client. It also provides the assurance of ample resources, with access to the wider local labour pool and backup equipment if required, as well as additional eyes and ears on the ground to identify and report any visible facilities maintenance requirements, and increased security onsite after hours.
In early 2014 the centre relocated to Masterton Hospital following a fire. The new location, in a much older building, had an immediate impact on the cleaning services the client required. OCS acted swiftly, reworking the specification in collaboration with the client to provide consistent service throughout the upheaval and ensuring the new location was cleaned to the client’s expected service standards.
Throughout our relationship with Masterton Medical we have shared their vision of exceeding patient expectations with a pristine health care environment. This has been evidenced with an average Quality Audit score of 95%, and recognised with a BSCNZ Clean Sweep Award in 2016. We look forward to continuing this successful relationship, to provide Masterton Medical Centre with ongoing improvements based on an in depth and ongoing understanding of their needs and expectations.