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197 Supp t Services NMH Annual Rep t | 2020 Andrew Hogan, Porter. Once the department adjusted to the new operating requirements, annual skills training proceeded as normal, with all staff meeting external and internal compliance targets, resulting in the continued provision of cleaning services through a highly skilled workforce. Portering Services The Portering Services Department provides an essential frontline service throughout The National Maternity Hospital including the Labour and Birthing Unit, Theatre, Laboratories, Laundry, Front Hall and Stores. The Department has continued to support education and training programmes and continue to undertake mandatory training on an annual basis developing a new essential 'Emergency Skills Training' course in conjunction with the Labour and Birthing Unit. Staff achieved 100% attendance in Manual Handling. With the on-going redevelopment of the hospital on its current site, and its proposed co-location with St Vincent's University Hospital on the Elm Park Campus, the Portering Department participated on several committees providing advice on all aspects of the management of Portering Services including risk assessment and cost effectiveness. The Department is also represented on several committees such as the Goal 3 NMH Strategic Plan 2019 - 2023 and Goal 2 NMH Strategic Plan 2019 - 2023, Go Green Committee and Communications Group. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portering Services Department evolved with new protocols being developed on a regular basis. The Portering Services Department also formed part of the multi-disciplinary 'COVID-19 Response Team' used to handle patient transfers and deliver items to patients who could not receive visitors. All staff had to receive training in COVID-19 procedures, particularly with regard to patient transfers. We give a warm welcome to Glenn Kynes, newly appointed Assistant Portering Services Manager: we wish Glenn the best of luck in his new role. 2020 has been challenging for everyone, but despite this, our staff have done extremely well in these circumstances and I wish to thank them from my bottom of my heart for the amazing work that they have done. Switch/Reception In 2020, despite an increase in calls, the Switch Team continued to provide a seamless customer focused link between the public and the hospital. The first point of contact the public have with the hospital is a welcoming smile or voice from the Switch Team and we take great pride and pleasure in delivering this in a very professional manner. The Portering Services Department also formed part of the multi-disciplinary 'COVID-19 Response Team'