Johnson sets guidelines for £50m deep cleaning of wards

Clean hospitals are not an "optional extra" and must be "our first demand", Health Secretary Alan Johnson is to tell NHS staff today.

He and Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley will set out how managers should implement the "deep cleaning" of wards as promised by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Measures include scrubbing floors, washing soft furnishings and cleaning trolleys.

The Conservatives attacked the Government last week over the plan for deep cleaning after ministers acknowledged it would not be monitored centrally. The Tories said it was the "worst kind of government by gimmick" after it emerged local health authorities would oversee the ward by ward scrub.

The Government said it expected to see results from the £50 million scheme, which was announced in September.

Mr Johnson is addressing 250 NHS executive directors of nursing and midwifery at the Chief Nursing Officers' annual conference in London.

He is to say: "Cleanliness cannot be an optional extra, it must be our first demand. Last month, we changed uniform rules to insist all staff are bare below the elbows, to ensure rigorous handwashing and high levels of hygiene. Last week, we set out plans to create a tough new regulator.

"Today, we will issue instructions to all NHS directors on the need to improve cleanliness and infection control."

MEASURES FOR SCRUBBING UP

Dismantling/cleaning of beds/bedrails

Changing curtains

Cleaning equipment like commodes

Washing windows

Steam-cleaning, decluttering and cleaning soft furnishings

Cleaning kitchens and cupboards

Ultrasonic cleaning and hydrogen peroxide "fogging" to kill bugs

Cleaning of trolleys and wheels, washing walls and entrances

Restoration of surfaces

Cleaning doors, light fittings, telephones and IT equipment

Scrubbing floors