Estates

What We Do:

The building maintenance team ensures the hospital operates seamlessly, safely, and efficiently. Their responsibilities include conducting routine inspections, performing repairs, new works, and servicing the building fabric, including fire doors, windows, and hospital grounds. They prioritise compliance to maintain a fully functional and secure environment. Patient, visitor, and staff safety remains central to their mission, reflecting the team's commitment to supporting the hospital’s operational excellence and the wellbeing of all who use its facilities.

What We Do:

The Electrical Team at HRI ensures that all electrical systems within the hospital are maintained, safe, and compliant with regulations. Our team is responsible for:

• Maintenance & Repairs: Conducting routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs on electrical systems to ensure uninterrupted operation.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring all electrical work adheres to NHS and industry safety regulations to maintain a safe environment.
• System Upgrades & Installations: Installing new electrical equipment and upgrading outdated systems to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Energy Efficiency: Identifying and implementing strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability.
• Emergency Response: Providing 24/7 support for electrical faults and ensuring backup power systems function during critical situations.
• Safety & Training: Educating staff on electrical safety and best practices to prevent risks and hazards.

By focusing on these areas, we help maintain a safe, efficient, and sustainable hospital environment for patients and staff.

Health and Safety at CHS

At Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions (CHS), we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and legally compliant environment for everyone who works with us or visits our sites.

Health and safety is at the heart of what we do. It protects our colleagues, contractors, and visitors, supports operational efficiency, and underpins the quality of service we deliver across Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT).

Our Role

CHS not only delivers health and safety across our own services but also now provides the health and safety function for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This partnership ensures a consistent, professional approach to safety across both organisations.

What We Do

Incident Analysis and Prevention
We review and analyse incidents to identify root causes and trends, using the learning to reduce risks and prevent recurrence.

Policy Development
We create, review, and update health and safety policies so they reflect current legislation and best practice.

Risk Management
We carry out thorough risk assessments across a wide variety of tasks and environments, putting in place control measures that are both effective and practical.

Training and Engagement
We deliver programmes such as IOSH Managing Safely, as well as bespoke training and engagement sessions, to build knowledge, confidence, and a strong safety culture across the workforce.

Compliance Oversight
We ensure compliance with all legal requirements, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This includes contractor spot checks, asbestos management, and assurance that statutory standards are consistently met.

Our Approach

We believe health and safety works best when it is collaborative, supportive, and accessible. We encourage staff at all levels to raise concerns, seek advice, and contribute to improvements.

By fostering a non-blame culture, we make it easier for colleagues to report incidents and near misses, helping us learn and act quickly to keep people safe.

Why It Matters

Health and safety is about more than compliance. It:

• Protects staff, patients, and visitors.
• Supports well-being and morale.
• Reduces accidents and costs.
• Enhances reputation and public confidence.
• Helps everyone work productively in safe, well-managed environments.

How Health and Safety Is Organised

Health and safety within CHS is embedded into our management structure, with clear responsibilities at every level:

• Board Oversight – The CHS Board holds ultimate accountability for health and safety performance, supported by regular reporting and assurance.
• Health and Safety Manager – Leads the function for both CHS and CHFT, setting policy direction, monitoring compliance, and driving continuous improvement.
• Health and Safety Adviser and Support Team – Deliver day-to-day expertise, training, risk assessments, and incident investigations. They provide professional advice to managers and staff across all sites.
• Managers and Supervisors – Responsible for implementing policies and ensuring safe systems of work within their teams.
• All Staff – Everyone has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of themselves and others, and to report hazards or concerns.

This integrated model ensures that health and safety is not treated as an add-on but is central to how we run our services. By providing the health and safety function for CHFT as well as CHS, we remove duplication, strengthen governance, and provide a more robust, professional service.

What We Do:

The Mechanical Department ensures the safe, efficient, and cost-effective running of mechanical systems and equipment within the Trust. We focus on overseeing and improving operations through:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that all mechanical systems and equipment adhere to industry standards, safety regulations, and legislation to maintain operational safety and mitigate risks.
• System Optimization: Identifying and implementing initiatives to enhance the efficiency of mechanical systems.
• Training and Education: Providing staff with training, guidance, and support on proper operation, maintenance, and safety protocols for mechanical equipment.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Regularly performing maintenance and repairs to prevent equipment failure and extend the lifespan of mechanical assets.
• Data Management: Monitoring and analysing mechanical system performance data to ensure optimal function and to pinpoint areas for improvement.
• Vendor and Contractor Coordination: Managing relationships with external contractors and service providers to ensure timely and cost-effective mechanical services.
• Cost Efficiency: Exploring innovative solutions to reduce maintenance costs and improve system efficiency without compromising quality or safety.

By focusing on these areas, we aim to ensure the smooth operation of mechanical systems that support the Trust’s daily functions.

The Estates Operational Team is responsible for the oversight and management of the existing hospital and community site infrastructure and plant, ensuring they operate at optimum performance. We are committed to responding to all faults and breakdowns promptly and resolving them to a high standard. Our primary focus is to maintain a safe, efficient, and comfortable environment for both staff and patients. This includes regulating temperatures, ensuring adequate lighting, and addressing other key elements that contribute to a positive experience within our facilities.

In addition to our operational responsibilities, we work closely with the Capital Team to support the Trust’s property expansion through capital schemes and development projects, such as the Dean Clough Community Healthcare Project. This collaborative approach involves regular communication between the Operations and Capital Teams, as well as with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that the needs of end users are met with precision and care. By combining our operational expertise with strategic planning, we help deliver high-quality healthcare environments that serve the Trust and the wider community effectively.

What We Do:

The Waste Management Team ensures that all waste generated within the Trust is managed in a safe, compliant, and environmentally sustainable manner. We focus on overseeing and improving the service through:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that waste management aligns with healthcare regulations and legislation to maintain safety and mitigate risks.
• Waste Minimization: Developing projects and initiatives to reduce unnecessary waste and promote recycling across the Trust.
• Training and Education: Providing staff training, advice, and guidance on waste segregation, proper disposal methods, and environmental sustainability.
• Efficiency Improvements: Identifying and implementing strategies to enhance waste handling and disposal efficiency.
• Data Management: Recording, analysing, and reporting waste data to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Contractor Liaison: Managing relationships with waste contractors to ensure reliable and cost-effective service delivery.
• Cost Savings: Exploring innovative solutions to reduce costs associated with waste management without compromising service quality.

By focusing on these areas, we aim to safeguard patients, staff, and the environment while supporting the Trust’s sustainability goals.

HRI Security Department

What We Do:

The Security Department at HRI is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Our committed team operates 24/7 to ensure safety and well-being across the hospital. Here's how we achieve this:

Ensuring Safety and Support

We maintain a safe and welcoming atmosphere through regular patrols and constant monitoring of CCTV systems. This proactive approach helps prevent theft, deter criminal activity, and protect hospital assets.

Our team also provides essential support, such as escorting staff to their vehicles and assisting vulnerable individuals by ensuring they reach a safe place.

Responding to Emergencies

We respond promptly to intruder, panic, and fire alarms, ensuring swift action to protect the premises and maintain safety. Additionally, we address both urgent and non-urgent situations involving violent or aggressive behaviour or non-compliant individuals, taking appropriate measures to de-escalate and resolve incidents effectively. Additionally, we manage car parking and traffic flow during critical situations to ensure smooth operations across the site.

Providing Assistance and Guidance

During designated hours, we staff the enquiries desk, offering guidance and directions to patients and visitors.

We also manage the Electronic Patient Record system to handle patient enquiries efficiently. For those exempts from parking fees, we provide assistance with parking validation, ensuring a seamless experience.

Managing Systems and Assets

We manage the PAC access control system to ensure secure swipe access, monitor security alerts or breaches, and identify equipment defects, maintaining a controlled and secure environment throughout the hospital.

Our team also handles cash collection from pay machines and investigates minor defects or errors of the pay machine to ensure uninterrupted service.

Collaborating with Authorities

In partnership with law enforcement, we provide CCTV evidence to help locate missing vulnerable patients and support other investigations, reinforcing our commitment to community safety.

Our mission is to uphold the highest standards of security while fostering trust and support for everyone at HRI. Through professionalism and vigilance, we strive to make the hospital a secure and welcoming place for all.