NSW Health welcomes today’s outcome from the IRC and that the Health Services Union has agreed to cancel the planned stop work meeting.

Providing a safe environment for patients and staff is our highest priority.

Work has already begun with Mr Mike Wallace, a respected and highly experienced operational health manager and Professor Cliff Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) on the case.

Mr Wallace is implementing an Action Plan to improve cleaning services at Royal North Shore Hospital following a earlier decision by ISS to reduce their cleaning staff at that hospital. He has the full support of NSW Health to consider all aspects of cleaning services including appropriate staffing.

Mr Wallace will now work swiftly to establish the Workplace Consultative Group recommended by the IRC. This group will include local HSU East delegates; the Local Health District; the contractor InfraShore; its sub contractor ISS, and Health Infrastructure.

Local and state members of the NSW Nurses Association met with RNSH and Local Health District management earlier today to discuss progress on improving the cleaning situation. The Nurses indicated support for the Plan and agreed to be part of ongoing discussions as actions rolled out.

The CEC has already contacted local clinicians to look at care concerns that have been raised by patients and staff and to ensure required standards of infection control are being met.

ISS, the cleaning service sub-contractor, has engaged 20 extra cleaners. These cleaners are being used, where appropriate, as part of implementation of the Action Plan.

NSW Health has consistently stated its willingness to resolve this matter in the interest of patient safety and to reach a conclusion within a reasonable timeframe.

An immediate turnaround in cleaning services at the hospital is expected.

Where necessary NSW Health will take every legal measure to ensure that InfraShore and its subcontractor ISS meet the contracted standards and honour the obligations they signed up to under the contract.

View today's IRC directions.