This Wednesday (17th June) is Estates and Facilities Day. To mark the occasion, some of our teams in CHS have been in touch to share what they get up to in their roles. You can also share your own appreciation to our CHS Estates and Facilities colleagues via this appreciation form.
Behind the scenes with our Estates Team
Behind every warm ward, running tap and safe clinical space is a hardworking group of people, whose names you might not hear often, but whose impact is felt everywhere.
A typical day in Estates doesn’t really exist. The team begins each morning preventative maintenance, before reactive work starts pouring in. This can include anything from fixing steam leaks and boiler problems to blocked toilets, broken fire doors or a window that won’t close. Each trade brings something different.
On the mechanical and plumbing side, steam, heating and water systems take centre stage, while the joinery team tackles everything from doors to building repairs. And if you ever find yourself needing a key for absolutely anything, the team will quickly point you towards Gary, who is proudly nicknamed the “Key Master” because he quite literally knows every lock across the hospital.
Many of the team have long histories in the NHS, with careers stretching across multiple hospitals and decades of service. Others have joined more recently, rising through apprenticeships or discovering the Estates world by chance. What they all share, though, is deep expertise and a pride in passing their knowledge on. As Estates Supervisor, Simon Martin, said: "When someone with decades of experience leaves, it isn’t just a person who walks out of the door, it's years of irreplaceable knowledge."
Much of the estates work never reaches the wider organisation’s awareness. Pressure systems alone carry significant risk, requiring highly trained staff like Scott Boyd, who is responsible for isolating and managing systems safely. There is also the constant demand of responding to urgent issues across both hospital sites and multiple community locations. Out-of-hours call-outs are common, and it’s not unusual for someone to be called in at 2am, fix an issue that would otherwise disrupt patient care, and then still come in the next morning.
When CHS colleagues were asked what they wished colleagues understood more about Estates, they spoke about often feeling overlooked. Much of their work happens in the background, quietly and without recognition, but without it, patient care simply wouldn’t be possible. Estates Supervisor, Simon, also added that he wanted people to know that he was once a disco dancing champion in the late 80s - not just a skilled estates team member!
Estates are a team of problem solvers, early risers, night‑time responders and skilled tradespeople whose dedication keeps our hospitals going. Their work may not always be seen, but it is truly invaluable. This includes Rob and Alan from the Estates Painting and Decorating team, who work tirelessly against the odds to keep our hospital looking its best. Their commitment, alongside that of the whole team, is a reminder that behind every smooth‑running service is a group of people whose hard work truly makes a difference.
Meet the Materials Management and Receipt and Distribution Team
Working behind the scenes to keep our hospitals running smoothly is the award-winning Materials Management and Receipt and Distribution (R&D) team, ensuring wards and departments always have the supplies they need, when they need them.
Across both hospitals, the team plays a vital role in ordering, replenishing, and distributing more than 1000 different medical and surgical consumables on a weekly basis, from dressings and needles to everyday consumables that support patient care. On a daily basis, the Materials Management Assistants check stock levels, place orders, unpack deliveries, rotate stock, and ensures tidiness in stockrooms.
Every item supplied, from critical equipment to small comforts like toothbrushes or tea bags, contributes to patient safety, dignity and wellbeing. The team supports a wide range of services including wards, outpatients, emergency departments, theatres, and community services. In specialist areas, they also manage inventory systems that track high-value items such as surgical implants, helping to ensure accuracy, traceability, and patient safety. This has been a significant West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts project, involving the scanning and management of thousands of items to improve efficiency and patient safety.
One of the most complex elements of the Materials Management role is managing loan kits which are primarily used at CRH - this is specialist equipment brought in for specific orthopaedic procedures. These come with significant costs for delivery, use, sterilisation, and collection. To reduce this, the team works closely with Procurement and clinical teams to hold frequently used items on site where possible, although this can be challenging due to limited storage space.
Across both sites, alongside ward support, there is a strong emphasis on Receipt and Distribution, which plays a vital role in the flow of goods across the hospital. The team manages high volumes of deliveries daily. These deliveries can range from small, singular parcels to large drops of up to 90 items at a time, arriving steadily throughout the day.
Each delivery must be checked, receipted, and directed to the correct location, often within tight time limits. Where information is missing or unclear, the R&D teams investigate by contacting suppliers or departments to ensure items reach the right place. They also coordinate larger deliveries such as furniture and equipment, working closely with porters and transport teams. With a constant flow of goods and unexpected challenges, no two days are ever the same.
There are common misconceptions about the role. Materials Management is not a large warehouse holding unlimited stock; most items are ordered as needed, and the team relies on efficient systems and frequent deliveries. They are also separate from Procurement (Buying Team), although they work closely together.