ABM, a leading international provider of facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions, has been awarded a new healthcare contract worth €10 million with the Heath Service Executive (HSE). Under the contract, up to 350 staff are transitioning to ABM to provide cleaning services across eight Galway facilities, including critical environments such as operating theatres and intensive care units.
The contract is across all facilities at University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH), the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit (AAMHU) and five HSE administration buildings in Galway City. The contract includes the newly opened outpatients’ department and cystic fibrosis unit at MPUH. With the delivery of this contract, ABM is supporting the Department of Health’s Waiting List Initiative to deliver reductions in waiting lists by having cleaning operatives available for out of hours clinics.
Geoff Ginnetty, Services Manager, Galway University Hospitals, said: “We have found ABM to have an extremely professional approach to providing cleaning services at the two public acute hospitals in Galway city. ABM has so far demonstrated a responsiveness to the requirements of our hospitals, in a busy and challenging healthcare environment. We look forward to building on this promising start, to develop a strong working relationship between Galway University Hospitals and ABM.”
David Ferguson, Operations Director, All Ireland, ABM, said: “Building on the success we have in the Irish healthcare sector by providing more facilities management services is part of our growth strategy and was a key differentiator in our successful bid. We are looking forward to working together with our new team of over 350 people to deliver exceptional services and ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety throughout this critical setting.”
Under the contract, ABM is investing approximately €1 million in new equipment, uniforms, training, and administration systems. Among the innovations being introduced is the deployment of smart scanning technology on all equipment to support infection control and streamline operational workflow. The company is also rolling out extensive training programmes and protocols for cleaning operatives, including the Step Up Programme designed to support structured career progression.
ABM’s mobilisation of the contract was highly successful, with zero downtime or disruption to services. 350 staff from the previous contract holder were transferred to ABM and an experienced ABM team were on-site in Galway for one month prior to the changeover.
ABM has a strong portfolio of healthcare clients across the UK & Ireland and specialises in providing customised facilities solutions to clients in the manufacturing, aviation, commercial, mission critical, life sciences and transportation sectors. The company has over 2,300 team members across Ireland.
