ISS Mediclean employs more than 400 staff at Derriford

The GMB wants John Reid to meet members who operate cleaning and housekeeping services at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital run by ISS Mediclean.

The union has suggested Dr Reid hears first-hand experiences of those trying to keep standards within the local NHS.

ISS Mediclean said it strove to provide excellence in its services.

'Negative experience'

The GMB has long campaigned over standards of cleanliness at Derriford Hospital and staffing amongst cleaners and housekeepers.

Gary Smith of the union said: "The public often have a very negative experience at Derriford because the place is often so dirty.

"One of the difficulties is that we have what we believe to be an obscure output basis contract which seems to take little or no account of the number of staff involved.

"In real terms, since the services were provided, there are fewer staff available to clean wards and the reality is you need bodies on the ground if you are to maintain standards."

ISS Mediclean took over cleaning services at the site and employs more than 400 staff.

The company said of the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust in its decision to employ it: "The trust were the first in the South West to move their services to a private contractor.

"But their choice was vindicated when the hospital was nominated for a National Award for the Standards of Cleanliness."

The hospital trust said it met all of its environmental and cleanliness targets for the financial year of 2003/4.