Facilities management in the NHS: overlapping authority and demarcation disputes

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the implementation of the new ward housekeeper role in a hospital setting. The purpose is to propose a model to demonstrate how facilities management (FM) departments and clinical ward teams work together effectively to deliver catering and cleaning services.

Design/methodology/approach

The context of the implementation of the role was deemed a necessary feature, particularly to understand the organisational structures. In this case, the context was a hospital, and the underlying mechanisms that were in place included local recruitment and retention issues. Therefore, an interpretive approach was taken, and a series of semi-structured interviews was the primary method to collect data, supplemented by some non-participant observation and document analysis.

Findings

The findings from the two themes enable the development of a model to illustrate the working relationships between FM departments and clinical ward teams.

Practical implications

The findings from the study are of significance for hospital facilities and estates departments and clinical stakeholders who have the responsibility of ward catering, cleaning and the environment.

Originality/value

The significance of this study emerges through the advancement of methodology within the context of facilities in health care and through the contribution to knowledge and practice as a result of the proposed mode. This was the first type of study to look in detail at ward housekeeping models, using an interpretive approach over a relatively long period of time.

Citation

May, D. (2019), "Facilities management in the NHS: overlapping authority and demarcation disputes", Facilities, Vol. 37 No. 3/4, pp. 182-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-02-2018-0035