Sodexo and NHS Devon Trust extend partnership

Sodexo has been providing a range of services to the Trust since 1997 and recently extended these to five community hospitals and two health centres in the north Devon area. Sodexo provides a range of services to the 3,000 staff at the North Devon Healthcare Trust, these include: staff and patient catering, housekeeping, portering, courier, linen, car parking, post room and reception management, waste management and cleaning. Last month, Sodexo and North Devon Healthcare Trust received an 'excellent' rating as part of the National Patient Safety Agency initiative, known as the Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT). The successful partnership also assisted in the Trust recently being named as one of the NHS' most improved hospitals over the last year. A report from the Healthcare Commission (HCC), which monitors standards across the NHS, puts the Trust in the top ten for progress between 2006/07 and 2007/08. David Platt, Sodexo operations director, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this extension and, through our innovative approach, look forward to building on the successes we have collectively achieved in partnership with the Trust. Iain Roy, Director of Facilities, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "Working in partnership has been the key to our success. Sodexo and Trust staff work really hard together with a common goal of providing the best services we possibly can to the patients, visitors and staff. By extending the contract we can continue to build on our standards of high quality and success."