Apprenticeships for local people, helping the unemployed back into work and reducing waste while giving back to our communities are among the benefits of our new facilities management contracts at King George Hospital.

The contracts, covering services from maintenance to catering, came into effect this month and include what is known as ‘social value’, whereby contracts offer wider social, economic and environmental benefits for the local area, worth over £1.7million.

We’ve split the overall facilities management of the hospital into different contracts, with Mitie providing ‘soft’ services including cleaning, portering and catering; CBRE covering the hospital estate, including maintenance and engineering; and local company Walkers Cleaning Services securing the grounds maintenance and window cleaning contracts. This approach has helped us save over £400,000 per year.

Mitie has pledged to support at least seven apprentices to start their careers at our hospital, choosing from 940 courses offered across the company, as well as create six posts for people not in employment, education or training. They will also use in-house reuse platform, Mitie clear workspace, to reduce waste and support our local communities by donating, refurbishing or reselling furniture and equipment which is no longer needed.

And they will help improve patient care and make our hospitals better for staff with Mitie colleagues serving patient meals, giving clinical staff more time to focus on care; and more tailored security support, drawn up in partnership with our teams to ensure their needs are met.

CBRE has committed to devote volunteers to encourage students to choose a career in facilities management, as well as supporting those who are unemployed back into work. They will also offer volunteers to support community projects, give annual donations to local causes and provide a sustainable service by eliminating 50kg of single use plastic.

Sean Greene, our Director of Estates and Facilities, said:

We worked hard with clinical and non-clinical colleagues ahead of awarding these contracts to ensure we got commitments which would mean something to us and provide real benefit for our communities, such as employing local people.

Previously, our facilities management services were offered as one contract, splitting the services meant a wider range of companies could bid, we could attract local businesses, and make a saving, ensuring the best value for taxpayers without compromising on the service.

Colleagues from our partner organisations will also enjoy key benefits working for our Trust, such as receiving the London Living Wage and the same sick pay benefits as Trust staff on agenda for change contracts.

Mitie’s Mike Gibson, Managing Director, Healthcare and Education said:

We’re proud to be partnering with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust to deliver a modern, technology-led FM service. From intelligent portering systems that free up clinical time, to click-and-collect catering, we’re making the experience better for patients, visitors and hospital staff.

We’re also investing in the local community, creating new jobs for people not currently in work or education, offering apprenticeships, and supporting local charities and schools through mentoring and volunteering. It’s about making a real, lasting difference within the Trust’s community.

Wayne Goldsmith, CBRE’s Managing Director, Health and Care, added:

It’s a privilege to partner with the Trust. Our focus is on patient wellbeing, ensuring our critical asset maintenance keeps the hospital safe and conducive to healing. We take our responsibilities seriously, not just to the Trust, but also to the local community and the environment.

“A key part of our commitment is nurturing the next generation of talent for the NHS. That’s why we’ve brought in a dedicated social value coordinator, to truly embed our promises. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our services directly supporting the Trust’s vital work while also creating a meaningful, lasting impact in the community.