[johnowhetton]

Hi guys
          My company cleans for a number of doctors surgeries in the area, one particular client has 3 sites which we have cleaned for the last 8 years, we have never let them down and we have never had a complaint. they recently merged with another practice which we were asked to quote for (which we did), we didn't get the contract because the lady said they had deceided to choose the other company that quoted ( I won't mention names but one of the larger companies in the area owned and run by the local council) because they had very robust policies and procedures which would help them meet the CQC requirements. I am a little concerned now as we have been asked to requote for our 3 sites which we have cleaned for the last 8 years as this other company has been asked to also quote for them, I feel that we may loose this client now. I have spoken to the CQC today and asked them about their specific requirements regarding the cleaning of doctors surgeries to which they said there were no direct requirements or specifics with regards to cleaning apart from that a high standard of cleanliness is maintained.
We have all of the task specific method statements and risk assessments, coshh data, health and safety procedures etc etc. we also run additional infection control procedures and tasks such as disinfection of kids toys, door handles, medical couches washed down, etc which is all documented on a daily basis to provide running evidence. We also use disposable colour coded cleaning cloths which are used once and then disposed of, weekly laundering of all mop heads. Once every 3 months all hard flooring (mainly altro flooring) is machine cleaned (free of charge) we use all the correct chemicals etc etc etc.

Does anyone have any good ideas which will help me to retain this customer?? Any other policies or procedures that I can add in.

Doctors are becoming ever more concerned about infection control so we have been thinking about investing in a small fogging machine which we will use to disinfect all rooms at their surgery sites maybe once every 3 months for no xtra charge. Maybe this would help us to retain their custom?? Can anyone give me some info on these machines? I don't really want to spend a fortune on one either tho. I know the chemical is quite expensive for them. Can anyone recommend a company that does these machines at a good price,

I would be very grateful for any help or ideas

Many thanks
John

[Denise l]

John, I think you are doing everything possible. This might be a case of politics as far as the council goes. They are advertising the fact of very robust policies. Do yours need updating? Have a look on the H& Safety Executive free site. Do you have any accreditations such as Safecontractor ? This will cost about £200 but takes a while to get it.The other machine that may be better than a fogger is a hot steam as this is what they use in hospitals etc now. Put up a fight for the contract, if there have been no complaints etc why do they want to change? Good luck.

Denise

[Kev Martin]

My advice is to get an outside Business Consultant to take a look at it.  It may cost you a couple of hundred quid, but believe me they are worth their weight in gold if you get the right one.  A good consultant will very quickly assess your last quote you lost and the one you are about to submit and pick a lot of holes in it.  For example and I am not trying to be clever here!  This is one thing that applies to us!   Have you mentioned partially sighted people under the DDA Regs?  May not even apply to you but just a thought

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd