Mitie strengthens security partnership with NHS Trusts in Hertfordshire

The new contracts will be for five years, with the option to extend for an additional two, and will see Mitie provide services for 75 buildings (including mental health facilities and inpatient units) in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk.

Around 300 Mitie employees will work on the contracts to provide security, cleaning, portering, linen and laundry, catering and Help Desk services.

Although Mitie has signed four different contracts with the two separate NHS Trusts, the services will be managed as a single account, with one Mitie team working across all sites.

Mitie will provide security services (including security guarding) for the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s Kingsley Green Campus. Technology will play a key part in this contract, with Mitie’s security officers using a security app to quickly create and update incident reports. This solution will allow officers to share information with colleagues, making it easier for the team to quickly respond to any issues and help keep staff, patients and visitors alike safe at all times.

Real-time insights

Mitie will also roll-out an app to allow the NHS Foundation Trust’s estates managers and the company’s own security officers to receive real-time insights and updates on relevant issues (such as protests or incidents taking place in the local community) on their mobile devices. These updates will be supported by security analysts at Mitie’s Global Security Operations Centre (its intelligence and technology-led security solution) who will provide Best Practice advice and recommendations to help minimise the security risks for the Trust.

Alice Woorwark, managing director for communities at Mitie, stated: “We’re very proud and excited to extend our relationship with the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. We’re committed to embedding our technology solutions and sustainability expertise into this contract to support the NHS Trusts in their commitment to have a positive impact on the local community.”  

Dean Raffles, head of operations, sstates and facilities for the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, responded: “Well maintained and efficient facilities are an essential part of delivering excellent healthcare services for the local community. We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Mitie and look forward to working closely with the team to ensure that our sites remain safe for service users and members of staff.”

Associated British Ports contract

Mitie has also won a new three-year contract to deliver security services for Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group. The contract includes an option to extend for a further two years and will see Mitie provide services for ABP’s 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales.

The contract will see Mitie deliver staffed guarding services (including site patrols and access control) for restricted areas across all of ABP’s sites. With 88 million tonnes of cargo and around 25% of all UK seaborne trade handled in ABP’s ports every year, such services are key to support the smooth operation of businesses’ supply chains.

Mitie will conduct passenger searches and screening, including body scanning services, for ABP’s passenger operations in Southampton, Plymouth and other ports across the UK. ABP’s port in Southampton is Europe’s foremost cruise turnaround port. As it prepares to welcome ships to its new Horizon Cruise Terminal and as cruise services resume in the summer, security will be key for ensuring the safety of millions of port employees and cruise passengers alike who typically pass through the port every year.

Jason Towse, managing director of business services at Mitie, stated: “We’re delighted to have been chosen by Associated British Ports to deliver key security services across its sites. We look forward to working closely with the client and using our transport expertise to deliver a solution that helps to keep passengers and Associated British Ports’ colleagues and operations safe and the UK’s maritime sector moving.”

Mike McCartain, director for safety, engineering and marine at ABP, observed: “Security plays a vital role in our ports. This contract creates new opportunities to improve security further. It enhances our recent investment in hardware and surveillance, making our ports and operations more secure, while also protecting our infrastructure and members of the public. We’re really looking forward to partnering with Mitie.”