DIRECTORS of Mitie have struck a new deal with North Cumbria's NHS trust, extending the 26-year partnership between the two organisations, outside of their PFI contract.
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) bosses successfully convinced the Government and NHS England to allow early termination of the PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract last year.
The Cumberland Infirmary Hospital in Carlisle was built on the contract in 2000 but directors believed better value for money could be achieved if Mitie continues to deliver the facilities management services, while the trust owns its own estate.
PFI contracts were a favoured method of building and managing infrastructure projects such as hospitals and roads under the Blair Government.
Signing an extension of Mitie's facilities management services, now under a Crown Commercial Service Contract, was hailed as "hugely reassuring" by NCIC directors in late March.
Adam Mitton, Technical Services Operating Officer, Mitie, said: "We are proud to extend Mitie’s 26-year partnership with NCIC. Our colleagues play a vital role in supporting NCIC by delivering quality critical services every day. By combining their dedication with our innovative smart technology, we are supporting NCIC to remain a high-quality healthcare environment."
The contract extension will see Mitie expand its rollout of it smart portering service, which supports day-to-day tasks at NCIC, transporting equipment efficiently across the estate and handling waste removal.
Smart portering involves assigning tasks to the right person, in the right part of the estate instantly, using A.I driven task management and smartphone location tracking.
In busy periods at the Cumberland Infirmary, the technology will deploy resource where it is most needed.
Mitie has said that the use of technology has improved the experience of Cumberland Infirmary staff, visitors and patients, with colleague response times reducing by 66 per cent and cleaner response times by 47 per cent.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM
NCIC directors heard at their board meeting on March 25 that the contract extension "secures a standard of care for our patients and staff that we can rely upon as we exit the PFI."
James Drury, Executive Director of Finance at NCIC said: "This is a positive outcome that provides good value for money and continuity of service for NCIC and certainty for Mitie colleagues about their roles.
"We look forward to continuing our positive partnership with Mitie as one team working together to deliver a great working environment and safe high-quality care for our patients."
As part of its social value aims, Mitie will provide engineering apprenticeship opportunities in the next year and will dedicate up to 1,000 hours volunteering to the community and healthcare charities.
Share