YORK MP Hugh Bayley said today he felt "vindicated" about the decision to end private sector cleaning at York Hospital.

Mr Bayley fought against tendering the cleaning contract to private companies almost 16 years ago, when he was a member of York Health Authority.

He believed the decision, which has since been highly criticised by staff, patients and visitors, was wrong.

"It split responsibility for cleaning away from responsibility for providing patient care, which was a mistake," he said.

Earlier this week, health chiefs at York Hospital announced in-house cleaning would be reintroduced early next year.

They vowed to invest another £800,000 a year into the cleaning service, transfer jobs held by Initial Hospital Services workers into the NHS, and give cleaners more time on wards.

Mr Bayley said he was confident the hospital trust would soon win back its three-star rating, which was lost last year because of cleanliness issues. The status loss dashed its hopes of Foundation Hospital status.

Selby MP John Grogan also welcomed the trust's decision.

He said: "York Hospital has an excellent overall reputation, but down the years I have had many letters regarding cleanliness on the wards.

"I applaud the bold decision by the trust to take cleaning back in-house. By making cleaners part of the NHS team once again I think that the trust will enhance the pride of workers in their work, their motivation and performance."

But he said some private contracts could work well within public services.

"If you look at education in York, such as with the Private Finance Initiative which involves building for schools, it's different because the private sector is bringing something in terms of capital spend that wouldn't have happened otherwise.

"I think it's very much horses for courses - it's about getting a good balance between public and private sector."

Updated: 09:43 Saturday, June 04, 2005