HEFMA has joined with several other associations* representing the Estates and Facilities (E&F) workforce in healthcare across the UK to launch a new national day to recognise and celebrate the critical work of all E&F staff and their role in the provision of healthcare services.
The first National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day will be celebrated on June 15, 2022 and annually thereafter on the third Wednesday in June. It will recognise the role of the E&F workforce, and be a day to invite all to reflect on the work done by these professionals and the value this gives to patients and staff.
The Covid pandemic raised the media and public focus on the NHS like never before, and the work of many of those in E&F roles was also reflected in media and television reports, often for the first time, in ways that raised the profile of this vital staff group. The launch of a National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day will keep the importance of E&F in healthcare front of mind, raise the profiles of the professions, and support recruitment into and sustainability of the professions into the future.
Support and encouragement for this initiative has been forthcoming from the heads of profession across the UK.
* The associations initially involved in this initiative are: the Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals, the Hospital Caterers Association, the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management, the Institute of Decontamination Sciences and the Society of Hospital Linen Services and Laundry Managers. Other partners who share an interest in promoting the vital work of our E&F staff working in healthcare across the UK will be welcomed to join this initiative.
