CLEANERS could be bussed in to York Hospital from towns across North and East Yorkshire in a bid to overcome chronic recruitment problems.

Initial Hospital Services, which runs the cleaning contract at the Wigginton Road site, has been in talks with a number of Job Centres to identify the most suitable recruitment site and has acquired a mini-bus to provide free transport to and from work from one or more of these outlying areas.

Selby, Thirsk, Goole and Driffield are among the possible areas of recruitment after Malton and Pickering were ruled out because of low unemployment levels.

In a report to members of the York Health Services NHS Trust board, which meets tomorrow, director of facilities Danny Morgan says: "It is clear that the achievement of standards is closely linked to the ability to recruit and retain staff, and our cleaning contractor Initial Hospital Services has been working proactively to overcome the continuing difficulties in this area.

"They have focused their attention on the potential for recruiting staff from outlying areas and have undertaken research with local job centres.

"The Malton and Pickering Job Centres advised that there was no unemployment, but Thirsk, Driffield, Goole and Selby offer a potential employment pool.

"Encouraged by the dialogue with these Job Centres, the company has acquired a mini-bus and aims to provide free transport to and from work from one or more of these outlying areas."

Staff recruitment problems, absenteeism, bad weather and ongoing construction work have combined to create cleaning problems at the hospital over the past few months.

But according to Mr Morgan's report, considerable progress has been made towards improving the patient environment.

Toilets and common areas have been redecorated, curtains and shower curtains replaced, damaged furniture replaced and new floor cleaning equipment has been purchased.

A number of initiatives, including the piloting of ward housekeepers on three of the hospital's orthopaedic wards, are aimed at improving the situation even further.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, June 24, 2003