Trust celebrates night shift cleaners spotlighted in Wellcome Collection online photo story
07 August 2025
Several dedicated night-shift cleaning staff have been celebrated in a powerful online photo collection.
Several dedicated night-shift cleaning staff from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have been celebrated in a powerful new online photo story published by the Wellcome Collection.
The photo story, titled NHS Night Cleaners, is a tribute to the teams working behind the scenes to keep hospital environments safe, hygienic and operational through the night. The series features portraits and interviews by photographer Lewis Khan, highlighting the lives, routines and vital roles of ISS Facility Services staff and unsung healthcare heroes.
Across both hospital sites, night cleaners shared their experiences of working while the city sleeps — revealing the discipline, care, and sense of pride that go into maintaining clinical standards in critical hospital areas, from A&E to endoscopy, public foyers to phlebotomy wards.
At Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the series features Prince, Simon, Pedro, Tome, and Saihou, offering an insight into their dedication to maintaining high standards across wards, infection control, and night operations.
At West Middlesex University Hospital, Dan, Mihaela, Siba, and Christina were shadowed during their night shifts, highlighting the care and precision they bring to cleaning specialist units and supporting frontline teams through the night.
Prince shares the purpose he finds in helping to maintain clinical spaces for the benefit of patients and staff alike: “We are all working for one purpose and if I don't clean they cannot do their job. We want to save lives and help people.”
The Trust’s night cleaning staff reflect the diversity, resilience and determination of the wider NHS workforce. Many balance demanding shift patterns with family life, education and long-term career aspirations in healthcare and beyond. Thank you to all NHS night cleaners for their invaluable contributions to NHS domestic services teams.
Photography by Lewis Khan for Wellcome Collection.