5 May 2026 Community

Celebrating The Kirkwood’s Incredible Domestic Team

When working for or volunteering for The Kirkwood every role plays a vital part in creating the warm, compassionate and dignified environment that patients and families rely on, and few teams embody that more quietly, yet powerfully, than the hospice’s dedicated domestic team.

Working tirelessly behind the scenes across The Kirkwood’s Dalton site, the facilities cleaning team does far more than maintain spotless surroundings. They help create the safe, welcoming and infection free environment that allows patients, relatives and staff to feel cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

Recently, their hard work and commitment were recognised in a major way when Kirklees Council carried out its annual Infection Prevention and Control audit. The team not only passed, they did so with distinction, receiving glowing praise for their exceptional standards.

Claire Scotcher, Domestic Team Supervisor, said: “We are a close knit and incredibly hardworking team dedicated to maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout not just The Kirkwood’s In-Patient Unit, but the building as a whole. We recently had a visit from Kirklees Council for our annual Infection, Prevention and Control audit, and we received excellent feedback. The auditor was very complimentary and we passed with distinction.”

For Claire and her team, cleanliness is about much more than appearances, it is an essential part of patient care: “The domestic team are of utmost importance to the hospice,” Claire explained. “Maintaining a clean, infection-free environment for all of our patients, relatives and staff is essential. I enjoy interacting with patients, getting to know relatives and supporting the clinical staff.”

Each day begins with careful planning, ensuring every area of the hospice remains safe, hygienic and secure: “My first responsibility is compiling the daily worksheets for the team,” Claire said. “This includes a list of the day’s priorities and covers the duties of each member. We ensure the In-Patient Unit is a safe and clean environment for our patients, and that the Dalton site as a whole is a hygienic workplace for the entirety of our staff. We also support Maintenance staff in ensuring the building is secure.”

Since stepping into her role as supervisor in October, Claire has been proud of the way her team has embraced new challenges and continued striving for excellence: “I’m really proud of the domestic team,” she said. “Since I became supervisor in October the team has supported me in my new role and we continue to strive for improvement. The team has worked really hard supporting clinical staff and feedback from my weekly walkarounds with the In-Patient Unit Manager and Matron continues to be positive.”

But perhaps what makes The Kirkwood’s domestic team so special is not just their professionalism, it is their compassion.

Beyond their daily duties, the team forms meaningful connections with patients, offering smiles, conversations and moments of comfort during incredibly important times: “The interactions between the team and our patients are invaluable,” Claire said. “We can offer our patients a friendly face and a listening ear. Whether reminiscing about happy memories or sharing pictures from special occasions, my team is always there to help boost patient morale. These interactions bring me and my team great satisfaction.”

Claire believes this human connection is part of what makes The Kirkwood such a special place: “The Kirkwood performs an invaluable role in the local community,” she added. “Not only does it provide the highest quality of care, but it’s kind, homely, dignified and compassionate. Patients enduring life limiting illnesses can come to The Kirkwood and receive expert medical care from dedicated professionals in a warm, welcoming, happy environment that I’m proud to be a small part of.”

From maintaining award worthy standards to providing comfort in everyday moments, The Kirkwood’s domestic team is an essential part of hospice life, a close knit group whose dedication helps ensure every patient and family experiences the very best of The Kirkwood. Their recent recognition is not only well deserved, but a testament to the extraordinary difference they make every single day.