Earlier this week marked 74 years of the NHS. Following this milestone, we spoke to housekeeper for University Hospitals Sussex, John Bowden, for his views on working in the domestics team.
John has been working in this role for nearly 15 years, having started in January 2008.
After a wide array of previous jobs, including six years with the RAF, he’s now found keeping the corridors of Worthing Hospital clean, and a friendly face in a busy space doesn’t go unnoticed.
John said: “I’ve just kind of fitted into the role because of my nature really. I’m cheerful and I try to help people and, you know, it’s become established as my area because I tend to have a smile for everyone and meet and greet, and I’ve been told it makes a difference. I like to think it does anyway.”
As part of his training he gained an NVQ: a qualification based on practical skills. This also meant understanding all the cleaning chemicals that he would be working with, helping keep our staff and patients safe.
John has regular appraisals, to ensure that knowledge and skills are still up to date and that safety is observed.
When asked if he had anything to share for people looking to join the Trust, John said: “Everyone’s job within the trust is important. There’s no one more important than anybody else. We all function. We’re all sort of cogs in a big wheel, and if one of those cogs fails then the whole thing fails.”
The pandemic meant many challenges for everyone in the NHS. The staff in domestics were no exception to this, meaning regular Covid cleans, but John said that he wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.
“I’m glad I came to work at the hospital, and I hope that I’m here until I retire.”
If you are interested in joining the Trust, consider visiting our page at www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/join-us/ for information on vacancies and how to get involved as an employee or volunteer.