WORKPLACE design specialist, Space Solutions, is celebrating the success of an innovative service aimed at helping dentists to create specialist sterile units within their practices.
The firm has secured a contract with NHS Lanarkshire to manage the design and implementation of so-called ‘Local Decontamination Units’ (LDUs) at 12 health centres across Lanarkshire region.
The deal is a major success for Space Solutions’ LDU Assist scheme – an unique, three-stage service designed to assist dental practices in meeting Government requirements to create sterile units for the decontamination of reusable dental equipment.
The LDU Assist scheme helps dental practices adhere to guidelines set out in the Glennie Report – which reviewed sterile service provision across the NHS in Scotland. The report says that all dental practices in Scotland must have or started to plan for a (LDU) by the end of 2009.
Space Solutions will design LDUs at the primary care dental facilities within Abronhill Health Centre, Cumbernauld; Blantyre Health Centre; Central Health Centre, Cumbernauld; CoatHill Day Hospital, Coatbridge; Hunter Health Centre, East Kilbride; Kilsyth Health Centre; Lanark Health Centre; Motherwell Health Centre; Newmains Health Centre; Shotts Health Centre; View Park Health Centre and Wishaw Health Centre.
The deal also follows a successful two-week project creating a LDU unit at the Victoria Dental Practice in Glasgow.
John Mulgrew, commercial manager at Space Solutions, said: “LDU Assist provides a one-stop shop through all the processes involved, including help in funding applications – with minimum disruption to business.
“We have spoken to dentists to ensure the service addresses all the concerns and issues they would have in developing an LDU, particularly if they think their premises could not be developed or they are concerned about the impact on their business.
“We have a wealth of experience in the medical sector, and indeed in the business community in general, and have a team of multi-disciplined professionals in place to provide a bespoke integrated approach to LDU implementation.
“We also can provide the latest advice on LDU guidelines and funding to ensure any LDU project progresses as smoothly as possible.”
“With our new NHS Lanarkshire contract, on top of the project we have just completed in Glasgow for the Victoria Dental Practice, we are confident of seeing further success for Space Solutions in the this sector in the future.”
Space Solutions is one of Scotland’s biggest independent experts in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace, particularly in finding innovative solutions to challenges in developing commercial properties.
Grants to assist dentists in meeting the financial cost of the LDU requirements are available from NHS Health Boards – but Space Solutions believes many practices are unsure about how to go about securing financial assistance and how to put in place a plan for a LDU.
Many practices are also concerned at how they would accommodate a separate room for the LDU – which is determined by the number of patients/surgeries – within their existing premises.
The first step of the three-stage LDU Assist service involves advice on the legislation and the requirements, applying for funding support as well as appraising practices on their premises to find the best decontamination option for them.
Stage two looks at the design development in which a design brief for the best-solution LDU is prepared.
The final stage involves consultation with local health boards and the preparation of any statutory consents before construction of the LDU, final testing and handover.
John added: “We fully understand the need for ‘business as usual’ so the process has been designed to minimise disruption to each surgery and allow them to carry on working as normal while the LDU is being created.
“LDU Assist is an efficient and cost-effective solution which will allow practices to follow the LDU guidelines with the minimum of fuss.”
John O’Donnell, owner of the Victoria Dental Practice, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the work Space Solutions have carried out on the dental surgery. They thoroughly researched the options for our LDU and made sure they gained a full understanding of how the dental practice worked and what our requirements were.
“They also worked very quickly with us to ensure that our NHS application was made smoothly, and their help and preparation for this application ensured that we were granted full funding. There was minimal disruption during the works and the project came in on time and on budget.
“Overall, the LDU was a big success and I am, in fact, looking into them doing further work for the practice.”
For more information on Space Solutions LDU Assist service, go to http://www.spacesolutions.info/content/view/278/163/
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