UK
The Textile Services Association (TSA) has sent out its twelfth update to members since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown in March. Here, in summary, are key points from the CEO’s message.
The TSA continues its lobbying efforts with another open letter aimed at MPs, continuation of its webinars and says it may just be starting to make real progress with the Cabinet Office regarding reusable healthcare uniforms processing guidance.
Hospitality
Spme positive news for hospitality laundries reopening after lockdown came from UK Hospitality (UKH) with which TSA is working closely, which has published the results of its own survey which shows that 60% of venues are planning to open in early July and this is expected to increase to 75% by the end of the month.
Regular calls with TSA European colleagues and DVT (the German TSA) revealed that their members remarked volumes of laundry per room being sent was not very different from pre Covid-19 and that rural hotels were seeing a much quicker bounce back than their urban counterparts with 75% occupancy versus 40%. There has been feedback from some TSA members that bookings at rural hotels and tourist locations seems to be increasing at a positive rate in the UK as well.
Lobbying on behalf of hospitality laundries continues with a more targeted approach of sending personalised letters to Tory MPs. It also seems like MPs are more open, more understanding and are listening to industry concern when the message is from a laundry within their constituency.
Healthcare
The TSA reported that more reusable gowns are entering the healthcare market but remarked that procurement and specification of these is not being well communicated by the Cabinet Office and that healthcare operators are seeing significant volumes of non-CE labelled gowns. The Government and NHSI are aware of the problem and TSA has been told that they will be issuing guidance to all sectors that gowns must be manufactured to EN13795. TSA is expecting approval of Level 2 processing healthcare documentation shortly from the NHSI. They want to ensure all gowns are processed to a specific standard and are relying on the TSA to provide the guidance here.
The TSA said it saw a real opportunity to use the momentum from the reusable isolation gowns and the standards the government want to introduce to start having both high level national and local conversations with the nursing and care home sectors. “It will not be an easy market to enter but there has never been a better time to start,” said TSA CEO David Stevens.
TSA membership
Stevens concluded the update by saying: “The current pandemic has brought a lot of grief and distress and not only to our industry but globally. We hope we can all come through this together and we feel privileged that we have had the opportunity to support the industry as a whole during these difficult times. However, TSA communication will forthwith only be shared with members.”
During the three months-plus of lockdown the TSA shared information and guidance freely across the industry and as a result has picked up a slew of new members. “It was a tough decision to exclude non-members, but it is only fair on those who have paid for full membership to do so. Hopefully, we will continue to see membership grow as we are so much stronger together.”
Find out about becoming a TSA member by contacting:
T: 0203 151 5600
