HefmA has signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals (ahcp) and the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) to formally develop a closer working relationship between the associations. The three already have a good understanding and excellent working relationship. The suggestion that they should further develop that relationship has been mooted for some time and became the subject of more serious discussion early in 2016.
Growing together is one of the key objectives of this initiative. Working together, HefmA, ahcp and HCA will be a stronger body, better able to face the challenges of healthcare change and transformation including the impact of STPs and the demands of reports, such as the Carter Productivity and Efficiency review. The initiative will also provide one strong voice to represent the EFM profession on the political stage.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in London on December 2, 2016 by the three National Chairs: Paul Fenton (HefmA), Simon Sharpe (ahcp) and Phil Shelley (HCA). It was witnessed by the three Presidents: Tim Litherland (HefmA), David Bedwell (ahcp) and Fionnuala Cook (HCA). It sets out an agreed framework for co-operation between the three associations. It will function as a statement of principles and is not legally binding.
HefmA, ahcp and HCA are all committed to sharing knowledge and relevant information and this initiative will further enhance the co-operation and co-ordination that already exists. It will also improve efficiency by preventing duplication of activity as there are inevitably issues that affect the members of each association.
Paul Fenton says: "We have actively worked to get this Memorandum of Understanding in place as we have jointly seen the need to work together to develop and maintain standards in our desire to deliver the patient experience to a consistent standard across the UK."
Working together, HefmA, ahcp and HCA will promote the principle of providing world-class services across the healthcare sector to ensure the patient journey is as positive as possible and ultimately to aid recovery.
They will also become a 'single voice' in promoting the EFM profession, offering advice and guidance and answering concerns to the Department of Health, NHS England, Healthwatch, patient groups and media enquiries.
For the full story, see the November/December 2016 issue of HefmA Pulse Magazine
