Healthcare Commission report highlights need for Clematis

Two new Healthcare Commission* reports highlight the urgent need for detailed cost control, built-in reporting of live data, and clear financial accountability in the NHS. In June 2007, the Healthcare Commission on standards in the NHS reported a worsening picture in relation to hygiene control and cleanliness.

Over 7% more trusts declared they are unable to meet hygiene standards compared to last year. In total 28% of NHS trusts are currently unable to comply on one or more of the following Hygiene Code standards:

  • C4a - Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI): 14.0% (55 trusts) are unable to keep patients, staff and visitors safe with systems to ensure that risk of healthcare acquired infection to patients is reduced.
  • C4c - Decontamination: 14.3% (56 trusts) are unable to properly decontaminate all reusable medical devices and manage well the risks associated with decontamination facilities.
  • C21 - Care environment & hygiene: 11.0% (43 trusts) are unable to provide care in well designed and well-maintained environments.

The C21 care environment & hygiene standard requires healthcare services to be provided in environments with cleanliness levels in clinical and non-clinical areas that meet the national specification for clean NHS premises.

GV Health's Clematis stock control system simply and cost effectively delivers cost control and financial accountability through a simple system of data capture and reporting. Clematis is now one of the key tools helping managers to meet the Hygiene Code standard for cleaning and hygiene. Used in over 5,000 hospital departments Clematis records and controls stock issues and tells managers the real cost of their operations so they can manage and clean more efficiently.

Clematis helps with financial management

In an earlier report the Healthcare Commission reported that only 16% of trusts are managing their financial resources adequately for financial standing, internal control and value for money. 84% of trusts were graded fair or weak.

Clematis provides information which improves management of financial resources in cleaning, hygiene and other areas. With central stores based operations it provides better visibility; with direct supply solutions it offers better control. In both cases Clematis means you can make better purchasing decisions, buying more in bulk and negotiating better prices.

These two Healthcare Commission reports highlight the urgent need for detailed cost control, built-in reporting of live data, and clear financial accountability in the NHS. These benefits are simply and cost effectively delivered by Clematis.

*The Healthcare Commission ceased to exist in 31st March 2009 and was replaced by the Care Quality Commission. Visit www.cqc.org.uk for more informtation.