RoSPA recognises Sodexo Healthcare’s head of health, safety and risk as Covid Workplace Champion

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has selected Sodexo’s April Harvey, Head of Health, Safety and Risk for its Healthcare business, as a Covid Workplace Champion for her work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the end of 2021 RoSPA, which is known for its prestigious health and safety awards, launched its Covid Workplace Champion scheme to recognise and highlight the contributions of those who have used their expertise, passion and unwavering commitment to help limit the transmission of Covid in workplace. It received over 300 nominations from a range of industry sectors across 19 countries.​

Harvey has been recognised for her role as health, safety and risk lead in the mobilisation of the first Covid quarantine facility and Covid-19 test centres.

Harvey was part of Sodexo’s team which mobilised the UK’s first quarantine facility within a staff accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital, the Wirral. The facility was mobilised in just three hours to provide bespoke catering, concierge and security services for 178 British Covid-19 evacuees returning from Wuhan, China on 31 January 2020.

Harvey also worked with the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) team from Royal Liverpool University Hospital to implement new infection prevention control measures for the facility within just six hours and also helped develop new protocols, processes and procedures for PPE.

She then went on to support Sodexo’s Covid-19 test centre business, developing and implementing Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs). Sodexo became the UK’s largest provider of Covid-19 test centres on behalf of the UK Health Security Agency.

Greg Austin, HR Director for Sodexo Healthcare said: “April has gone above and beyond for Sodexo, helping to ensure our colleagues, clients and communities we work with have remained safe throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. April has faced each new challenge with a positive attitude and has been a significant factor in navigating us through the last two years. She is fully deserving of this RoSPA recognition and her experience is greatly valued at Sodexo.”

Harvey will meet other RoSPA Covid Workplace Champions from around the world at a celebratory event taking place this summer.