Trust’s revolutionary mobile cleaning unit wins regional NHS award

A pioneering mobile unit to disinfect hospital equipment won the 2008 Adopt, Adapt and Improve regional award at this year’s Health and Social Care Awards, run by NHS East of England.

The MeQ unit was developed by John Downes in the estates team and Val Leggett, nurse consultant for infection control at Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and is thought to be the first mobile cleansing unit in the country.

Equipment including beds can be wheeled into the unit, disinfected and thoroughly steam cleaned. Because the unit is mobile, the noisy task of cleaning can be performed away from the wards, preventing disruption to patients. In the current climate of infection control, health professionals have received the mobile unit very well.

Robert Donald, Innovation Manager from Health Enterprise East, said: “This is exactly the kind of brilliant idea that we champion. Innovation in the NHS is very much alive and this unit from the mental health trust is proof of that.”

Val Leggett said of the award: “It is wonderful to be recognised with an award for the work undertaken by myself and John to see the MeQ unit developed. It has proved an extremely successful project, and receives a lot of praise.”

John Downes added: “Other Trusts and organisations will soon be able to buy or rent their own units to build on their infection control measures, and a license agreement has been set up to cover any royalty payments.”

All 13 regional winners will now be put forward for the national NHS awards at Wembley Stadium, London in July.

website: www.nwmhft.nhs.uk