NHS Supply Chain has launched a new hand hygiene framework agreement designed to support trusts in improving hand hygiene compliance and reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs).
The contract brings together soaps, moisturisers, alcohol hand rubs and alcohol-free hand rubs for the first time under one single framework agreement.
The range of hand hygiene products and the number of suppliers has been extended, offering trusts greater choice and significant savings opportunities on a number of product lines.
The specification and process for the tender were put together with input from the Infection Prevention Society and the Royal College of Nursing.
Julie Storr, president of the Infection Prevention Society (IPS), said: “IPS supports the new Framework Agreement, which constitutes an important component of a multimodal behaviour change improvement strategy.”
This contract will make it even easier for NHS trusts to order hand hygiene products, to make savings, and will support them in their aim to meet hand hygiene compliance targets
“We fully support the development of this new framework,” said Rose Gallagher, nurse advisor for infection prevention and control at the Royal College of Nursing.
“It supports healthcare organisations by providing a range of resources needed for staff to perform hand hygiene. We know how important quality products and choice are in enabling hand hygiene and this framework is a positive step forward in assisting this.”
A rigorous process of product evaluation into compliance with standards and toxicology was also carried out by the Health Infection Research Laboratory and the Health and Safety Executive Laboratory.
Nicholas Hutton, senior buyer for healthcare acquired infection control at NHS Supply Chain, said: “This contract will make it even easier for NHS trusts to order hand hygiene products, to make savings, and will support them in their aim to meet hand hygiene compliance targets.
“With approximately 250 product lines and three new suppliers on contract, we offer an extensive range of first-line defence products in the fight against infection.”
- Companies:
- NHS Supply Chain
- Royal College of Nursing
- Infection Prevention Society
- Health and Safety Laboratory
