National award for the Garrett Anderson Centre

Ipswich Hospital’s Garrett Anderson Centre has won a national award for its innovative design which focuses on infection control.

The £26million treatment centre was a winner at the Building Cleanability Awards on Monday June 30.

The four-storey building, which has been designed with cleaning, infection control and patient safety in mind, was voted best in the country in the health category. Judges said its design helps patients, staff and visitors.

Steve Harrup, Director of Estates and Facilities at the hospital, said: “This is a clear demonstration of the hospital’s commitment to good design. Ensuring the ability to clean the building well will boost our attempts to become an infection free hospital. We’d like to thank our partners Prospect Healthcare and OCS.”

The Garrett Anderson Centre’s anti-infection design includes automatic doors and sensored taps, easy to clean windows and flooring, large kitchens and cleaning cupboards and spacious patient areas. It was nominated for the award by OCS who provide cleaning for the hospital.

The awards ceremony was held in The Great Hall of London’s famous Guildhall, and was attended by more than 400 guests. Held by The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners and The British Cleaning Council, they have been running since 1995 to promote effective cleaning through good design.

A series of anti-infection measures have been introduced across the hospital including reduced visiting times in a bid to stop the spread of infections, a new isolation ward, a deep cleaning of wards and a major hand-washing campaign.