Held at Leeds Armouries, the forum began with keynote speeches from influential figures including Jacqui Rock, Chief Commercial Officer at NHS England, and Simon Corben, director and head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England. These sessions highlighted the critical work of EFM professionals in supporting the broader ambitions of the health system and set the tone for the day.
Karin Smyth MP shared a message of appreciation for the NHS EFM workforce, emphasising the vital role such staff play in supporting patient care on a daily basis. Matt Dawson, who led a motivational session for participants, said: “To be invited was very humbling, not just as a guest presenter, but also to chat with many healthcare partners. The event is a great way for the EFM sector to create a greater network of partnerships, and to share best practice from EFM professionals across the UK. The work of EFM teams at hospitals large and small ensure patients can continue to be cared for in a clean, safe, and fit-for-purpose environment.”
Attendees engaged in discussions on critical topics such as digital estates transformation and infrastructure incident tracking, discussing their impact on patient care, and the importance of accurate data in supporting estate development.”
Sodexo Health & Care says the event was crucial for it in strengthening existing relationships and forging new connections within the NHS ecosystem. Participating enabled Sodexo to showcase its expertise, learn from industry peers, and gain insights into the latest trends and challenges facing NHS EFM.
Philip Leigh, CEO, Sodexo Health & Care UK & Ireland added: “At Sodexo our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. Within a healthcare environment, we can embed this purpose throughout the end-to-end patient experience, which is made up of numerous interactions a person has along their care journey.
“Everything our FM team does has an impact on the patient experience – from the cleanliness of the care environment to the availability of food choices in the hospital restaurant. Matt plays an important role as our ambassador, and we are proud to be able to enable him to share his experience as a former elite sportsman to engage and motivate EFM professionals at this event, and to support the NHS in delivering exceptional healthcare services and patient experience.”
Pictured, left to right, are: Matt Dawson, Sodexo ambassador, Jacqui Rock, Chief Commercial Officer, NHS England, and Simon Corben, director and head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England.