We pulled together to reduce the spread of infection and provide the best standards of cleaning.
As part of the #OurWXpeople spotlight series, this week we are highlighting the great work carried out by the domestic team. We caught up with Georgeta, Patient Ambassador, to give us all the details on the department.
Hi Georgeta, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello, I’m Georgeta and I’ve been working at Whipps Cross Hospital since 2007. I started as a domestic and I worked in this role for seven years. I was promoted to domestic supervisor in 2014 and when SERCO took over, my role was changed to patient ambassador. Before working at Whipps Cross, I worked in a hotel as a chambermaid.
What does a typical day look like for you working in the domestic department?
I ensure all cleaning and patient catering services are delivered to high quality standards and frequencies. I ensure that appropriate staffing levels are maintained and that all duties are carried out safely and politely. I’m currently responsible for the maternity area but I am also present wherever else I am needed.
The domestic teams duties are generally split into four categories. General, rapid response, periodic clean and deep clean. General domestic tasks on wards or departments include general cleaning, low and high dusting, cleaning floors, washrooms and completing waste disposal. Rapid response tasks include cleaning discharge areas, infectious areas and terminal areas, plus any ad hoc jobs within the hospital. The periodic clean team are in charge of bigger domestic tasks which happen quarterly, half yearly and yearly, like stripping the floors. The deep clean team deal with outbreaks and deep cleans on request.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Knowing that I’m helping patients, visitors and staff by keeping every area clean for them.
Has the pandemic affected the way you and the team work?
Yes, it affected everyone and a big challenge for us was to adapt to sudden changes that occurred. Along with medical staff, domestic staff are on the frontline, so we had to adapt quickly to new hygiene techniques and measures including donning and doffing, social distancing and wearing masks. The pandemic was a difficult time for us, but we adapted quickly. We also saw many patients who passed away and lost their fight with the virus, so it has affected us in that way too, but we found ways to motivate ourselves and move forwards.
How have you supported each other through this time?
There has been a huge amount of team spirit throughout the hospital. Everyone has put in so much effort, because we know that team work is essential. We pulled together to reduce the spread of infection and provide the best standards of cleaning. It was a challenging and sad time but think we did extremely well.
How would you entice a prospective employee to come and work in the imaging team at WCH?
I would say that you’d be joining an absolutely great team and if you do join us, remember that you are doing a great job.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I have an overflowing amount of energy and I like to bring smiles to patients faces every day. I try to bring something positive to whatever I do and Whipps Cross is like a second home to me. I am just happy being able to contribute to the wellbeing of patients.
Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our managers who are wonderful. They know how to listen and support us. I would also like to thank the cleaning, catering and portering team as well as medical staff, for all their hard work and support.
Read our previous spotlight features: