Serco, in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, has won the prestigious Golden Services Award 2013 for the cleanest healthcare premises with more than 250 beds.

The accolade for cleaning services at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert follows Serco’s Catering Service of the Year Award from the Hospital Catering Association earlier this year, and a positive Healthcare Improvement Scotland report on care for older people in acute hospitals.

The company was one of 24 organisations from all over the UK that picked up awards, which recognise the achievement of, and commitment to, higher standards of excellence.

Organised by Kimberley-Clark Professional and the Cleaning & Support Services Association, the awards were handed out by BBC newsreader Kate Silverton during a glittering ceremony at the Lancaster London hotel on Friday November 1 2013. Mike Mackay, Solutions Director at Serco Health, said:

 We are all delighted to win the award, which is acknowledged internationally as the hallmark of quality and a great way to promote excellence among our staff and partners, who I would like to thank for helping us to achieve this accolade.

“One of the reasons we won at Forth Valley was the range of innovative solutions we use to help reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection. For example, we have integral blinds and disposable curtains, robotic floor cleaning systems and an ozone laundry, which help reduce the risk of contamination.”

Tom Steele, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Strategic Projects and Facilities, added:

 This is a fantastic result which recognises the priority given to monitoring cleanliness throughout the hospital through regular internal and external audits and ongoing collaborative work with our patient representatives and staff.”

Independent professionals from the British Institute of Cleaning Science carried out the judging process, which examined innovation, staff management, training and client relationships.