Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

Type of works: supply and installation of the Airblade™ hand dryer.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust serves a population of 320,000 people in south-west London, including Kingston, Esher, Richmond, Roehampton and Putney. The hospital provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment services and has a national reputation for innovative developments in healthcare.

The hospital is continually seeking to develop and deliver high-quality, safe healthcare to patients. As part of that, upgrading the public bathrooms was a high priority. Previously, warm-air hand dryers had been used, but they were slow, ineffective and unhygienic, not to mention energy-hungry. A new hand-drying method was required.

In a healthcare environment, hygiene is critical. As the only hand dryer certified hygienic by NSF International, the Airblade™ hand dryer was a logical first choice for the hospital. The management team was immediately impressed with its speed, energy efficiency and hygiene benefits, so it was decided to trial two machines in the main entrance bathrooms.

Feedback from staff, patients and visitors has been very positive. The Airblade™ hand dryer also proved to be extremely reliable and energy efficient.

Based on the trial, the hospital has ordered six additional units and plans to specify the Airblade™ hand dryer in all future washroom refurbishments.

Alan Morley, Head of Estates, says: “We have been extremely impressed with the performance of the Airblade™ hand dryer. We would have no hesitation in recommending it to other NHS Trusts.”

“Kingston Hospital is committed to reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint. The Airblade™ hand dryer assists the Trust in delivering its targets in this area."