Our domestics team at HRI are celebrating after gaining the highest standard of excellence from the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS).

They have achieved it with honours after a rigorous two-day inspection last month and we are believe to be only the second in the country to achieve it (the first being a very small Trust).

It involved a look at evidence in all areas including audit processes, ordering systems, scoring and protective clothing.  Crucially the inspector had the freedom to call on any ward at HRI to ask staff there including matrons and ward managers  about cleanliness standards they experienced on a daily basis.

Assistant facilities manager,  Mandy Taylor, said: "  He told us it was going well  and he was seeing a lot of positivity..but that was all we knew at the time.  To get the highest of the high is amazing and a real team effort. We have succeeded with the highest of the high and we are all thrilled. It was a massive preparation because we didn't know what he wanted to see who we had to be ready in all areas.

" He wanted to know how we sorted annual leave to how we decided on buyong a particualr piece of floor cleaning equipment."

"On his walkabouts he was on his own to talk to staff. I know Day Surgery in particular gave us a great review - especially after we had assisted following an outbreak of chicken pox."

The accreditation stands for two years until the next inspection.

Karel-Jan Boel,  from  the accreditors ISSA, said: " Congratulations to the entire Calderdale and Huddersfield teams on achieving Certification With Honours to the criteria!  I know a lot of hard work went into the preparation and you are certainly to be applauded for your efforts. "