Following the successful trial and implementation of Life Protected Cleaner (LPC) with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kirsty Bradbury, Facilities Support Services Manager, Community South and Lings Bar Hospital, kindly agreed to a Q&A session to provide feedback on the process and outcomes experienced by herself and her wonderful team.
Kirsty Bradbury
Introduction
In January 2025, GV Health partnered with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to explore the potential benefits of switching to Life Protected Cleaner (LPC) as their primary cleaning solution. The collaboration began with an on-site training session for the domestic team, including a Q&A session and the distribution of LPC samples and product information.
The initial trial lasted for one week and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff. To ensure a robust evaluation, the team then completed a two-week comparative assessment – first using their existing products as a baseline, followed by a second week using LPC. This structured approach provided clear insights into the differences in performance, usability, and efficiency between the two solutions.
The trial period concluded at the end of February 2025 and proved highly successful, demonstrating notable advantages in cleaning effectiveness, safety, and cost- efficiency. As a result, the Trust made the decision to formally list LPC on contract and transition away from its previous products.
Below we discuss the background of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the team, the implementation process, operation & cost benefits, staff feedback & training, patient environment & experience and results & reflections.
Background
Q. Please tell us a little bit about Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust:
A. Nottinghamshire Healthcare employs over 11,300 colleagues who help make a difference every day. We provide intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. Services are delivered from over 123 locations within the community from acute settings and across low, medium and high secure environments including prisons.
As one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of the biggest employers in Nottinghamshire, we provide care to more than two million people a year. We are also home to national and regional services such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health. Our annual budget is £747m.
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your role:
A. I am a Support Services Manager, and I have worked for Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust for nearly 30 years. I have previous experience of working in a clinical environment. I manage facilities assistants, catering staff, house keepers and porters, I also manage a supervisor and a senior supervisor who manage up to 30 staff.
Q. Please tell us about your team of domestics and what cleaning means to them:
A. Our staff team are in the community and all work in their own areas usually under their own supervision. We have approx. 20 staff in the community including 5 bank staff. Staff feel cleaning is very important and it is essential in preventing infections from spreading. They have a vital role to play in the prevention and control of infections, and this was very apparent during the COVID pandemic.
Staff feel satisfaction and pride in their roles especially when they receive positive feedback from clinical staff, patients and visitors and positive audits results.
They enjoy walking away after their shift and leaving a clean environment for people to walk in to.
Q. What are the most important considerations for you and your team when it comes to cleaning:
A. Staff I met with stated that they love cleaning and clean to a high standard. Easy to follow instructions, COSHH information, smear free cleaning on glass, and surfaces.
Implementation
Q. Which areas/services are using LPC?
A. Patient areas, bedrooms, day rooms, office areas, bathrooms and toilets. At the moment, office areas, bathrooms and toilets, receptions, outpatient’s clinic rooms on community sites.
Q. What is the functional risk category (FR) of these areas?
A. These areas are FR1 & FR2.
Q. How effective is LPC at cleaning compared to previous solutions?
A. LPC is very effective and does not leave smears or marks. It is easy to use.
Q. Are there any metrics to support its efficacy?
A. Audit scores have remained high and no decline in scores. After an efficacy audit was completed at Highbury Hospital in the patient areas the toilets and sinks were noticeably cleaner.
Operational and Cost Benefits
Q. Has the switch to LPC reduced the number of products staff need to manage or use?
A. Yes, and LPC is much safer to use as less spillages and the risk of spillages has been reduced. It is easier to control quantities used and there are no dosing issues as the sheets are already prepared ready for use and dilution isn’t required.
Q. Are there cost savings from procurement, storage, or disposal?
A. Less PPE is required. Less storage required in domestic room which free’s up room for other stock to be stored.
Cost Savings:
Up to 68% weekly savings across a number of sites, compared to previous cleaning chemical products.
Q. Has cleaning become more efficient or faster as a result?
A. No requirement to measure chemicals as the sheets are prepped and ready to use. The empty packets are recyclable and take up very little space.
Staff Feedback and Training
Q. How did you and your team find the trial process of LPC?
A. Very easy to use with easy instructions. Staff members really enjoyed completing the trial and trying new products. The trial process was well delivered and from trial to implementing the use of LPC in the community was very smooth.
Q. How easy was LPC to train on?
A. Very easy to follow instructions
Q. What feedback has been provided by the team?
- Great for the toilets, foams well and keeps them clean
- Less chemical spills
- Easy to use and less waste
- Very good at removing stains
- A non-overpowering, but fresh smell
One team member said: “It was a pleasure using this product”
Another said she was asked by one of the nurses: “Is it the stairs’ birthday?! Why are they so nice and clean!”
Q. Do staff feel LPC is safer or easier to use than previous products?
A. Yes, as there is no risk of spillage.
Patient Environment and Experience
Q. Has there been any feedback from patients about cleanliness or odours?
A. A patient said what are we using which is different as it smells nice and clean.
Results and Reflections
Q. What measurable improvements have been observed since the switch to LPC?
A. Toilets and sinks are noticeably cleaner with less visible marks.
Q. Would the team recommend this product to other services?
A. Yes, for the professional service from the GV Health team with continued support and feedback.
Q. Are there plans to roll LPC out to other sites or settings?
A. Yes, we are looking into the cost implications in rolling this out and if this is more cost effective.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to feedback regarding the process of switching over to LPC or working with GV Health?
The transition was very smooth and the contact with GV Health was very professional and helpful. Several staff rated it highly on easy to use and performance but that it would be good if it had a nice smell.
Lousie Armstrong & Vanessa Oldham Facilities Assistant, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
A note from Lucy Brauer & Georgia Middleton, Strategic Partnership Team, GV Health:
Thank you so much to Kirsty Bradbury and your incredible team of domestics! We are absolutely thrilled to partner with you and so grateful for your openness and enthusiasm during the trial period!! We look forward to the continued relationship between GV Health & Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust!
