Spectra - Winter 2019

4 The pieces that make a whole Have you ever thought about how many different types of jobs there are in an organisation as large as ours? NHS Tayside is committed to delivering the best possible healthcare for our patients and all staff are important, no matter what their role. Everyone has a job to do and is a piece of a very large machine. NHS Tayside has one of the largest property footprints in Scotland and, in order to to take care of the buildings and outdoor areas, the Property Department employs around 250 staff across several sites including Ninewells, Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro as well as community hospitals and health centres. The department also works closely with other contractors in order to provide the best level of service. Estates managers, building, electrical and mechanical experts, grounds and gardens teams, painters and plumbers, joiners, upholsters and floor layers, maintenance assistants, building labourers and asset management officers provide services and support to ensure that all the buildings, systems and grounds are effectively used, maintained and in working order. There are teams of staff who work continually to ensure that the sites and grounds are maintained and free from litter, waste baskets are emptied, paths are cleared, and systems like lighting, heating, water, ventilation and fire safety are working. One of the most challenging things for the teams is adverse weather including high winds or heavy snow and icy conditions like we saw during the ‘Beast from the East’ storm last winter. Spotlight on... Property Department