Delighted Tracey cleans up at awards

The Whiteabbey woman, who works for the Northern Health Trust, was the winner of the top accolade at the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) Cleaner of the Year Awards.

Tracey, a domestic assistant based at Holywell Hospital, was a double award winner at the awards ceremony, held at the City Hall in Belfast.

As well as winning the Health Category, she also received the overall Cleaning Operative of the Year Award for Northern Ireland.

BICSc is the largest independent, professional and vocational body within the cleaning industry and the awards give recognition for the essential services that staff provide.

Tracey is part of the ‘clean team’ which is responsible for intensive and terminal cleans at Trust-run community facilities across south and east Antrim.

Commenting on her double success, Tracey said: “I am delighted to have won this award. I enjoy the variety my job brings and meeting different clients and staff.

“The Trust is keen to promote a culture of continuous learning so I have enjoyed being able to develop my learning and skills to help me achieve my full potential.”

Elsa Witherspoon, general manager for Community Domestic Services, congratulated Tracey on her tremendous achievement.

“I would congratulate Tracey on this prestigious award. Tracey is a very highly motivated, enthusiastic team player, with a very positive work ethic and a key member of the Domestic Services Team. Tracey is always looking to improve her skills in providing a first class cleaning service to patients, visitors and staff,” she commented.

Maire Bermingham, assistant director of Corporate Support Services, also congratulated Tracey on her win.

“This award also reflects the fact that cleanliness in wards, departments and all health and social care facilities is of the utmost importance to the Trust and also contributes to a patient’s overall treatment and experience, so it is important that high standards are maintained,” she said.

“The Trust supports the training of domestic services staff to the BICS standard which enables the Trust to ensure a professional cleaning service is provided to all our patients, clients, visitors and staff. It also builds on and further develops the competencies of domestic services staff, as the ability of our domestic services staff to maintain high levels of cleanliness in all health care environments is a highly skilled job that the Trust greatly values.”

Chairperson of BICSc, Bill McMillan praised all the award nominees and winners for their continuing hard work and dedication.

Other category winners included: Education - Paula O’Neill, Mount Charles; Retail - Charles Amarbon, Robinsons; Manufacturing - Linda Gillen, Resource; Office - Mary Robinson, Aramark.