Domestic Assistant wins BICSc Cleaning Operative of the Year Award

Tracey Peters, a Domestic Assistant based in Holywell Hospital has received the top accolade at the Cleaner of the Year Awards which is run by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). As well as winning the Health Category Tracey also received the overall Cleaning Operative of the Year Award for Northern Ireland.

BICSc is the largest independent, professional and vocational body within the cleaning industry and the Awards give recognition for the essential services that staff provide.

Tracey is part of the ‘clean team’ which is responsible for intensive and terminal cleans throughout community facilities in the Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey areas within the Northern Trust.

Tracy said “I am delighted to have won this award. I enjoy the variety my job brings and meeting different clients and staff. The Trust is keen to promote a culture of continuous learning so I have enjoyed being able to develop my learning and skills to help me achieve my full potential”.

Elsa Witherspoon General Manager for Community Domestic Services, congratulated Tracey on her tremendous achievement. “I would congratulate Tracey on this prestigious award. Tracey is a very highly motivated, enthusiastic team player, with a very positive work ethic and a key member of the Domestic Services Team. Tracey is always looking to improve her skills in providing a first class cleaning service to patients, visitors and staff”.

Maire Bermingham, Assistant Director of Corporate Support Services, also congratulated Tracey and stated that “the award also reflects the fact that cleanliness in wards, departments and all health and social care facilities is of the utmost importance to the Trust and also contributes to a patient’s overall treatment and experience, so it is important that high standards are maintained.

The Trust supports the training of domestic services staff to the BICS standard which enables the Trust to ensure a professional cleaning service is provided to all our patients, clients, visitors and staff. It also builds on and further develops the competencies of domestic services staff, as the ability of our domestic services staff to maintain high levels of cleanliness in all health care environments is a highly skilled job that the Trust greatly values”.

Pictured: Peter Hirthe – Chairman NI Regional Branch BICS, Keith Halliday – Secretary NI Regional Branch BICSc, Tracey Peters – BICSc Cleaning Operative of the Year 2014, Elsa Witherspoon – General Manager Community Catering / Domestic Services, Lily Cochrane, Senior Supervisor Community Domestic Services Holywell Hospital, William McWilliams – National Chairman BICSc

22nd October 2014