Wednesday, 2 June 2004
Bronglais hospital today opened the doors of its recently refurbished hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit when Health and Social Services Minister Jane Hutt officially opened it.
As part of a £20million package of funding, announced by Jane Hutt in March 2001, £8 million was allocated over a 3-year period for expenditure to improve and upgrade HSDUs.
Opening the unit Jane Hutt said: "One of my major initiatives in the NHS Plan, Improving Health in Wales, is to ensure that the health service is able to provide a first class service. Being able to provide the highest standard of sterilisation and decontamination of instruments goes a long way to achieving this.
"Once the £8 million was allocated to this project I established a project board to oversee the work. This money has now been spent on purchasing new and improved washer-disinfectors and sterilisers. Many departments, like this one, have undergone significant structural works to ensure they meet the highest possible standard. In addition, tracking systems have been installed across Wales, allowing each department to track the use of all instruments.
"Wales appears to be ahead of the UK in its accreditation of sterile services departments to the European standard. This stems from the early leadership in Wales by members of the Institute of Sterile Service Management. I believe that recognition of the Institute and regulation via the Health Professions Council should help to continue to raise the profile of the profession.
"It goes without saying that the improvements to the department will have a hugely positive effect on a Trust's abilities to retain its skilled staff and to recruit others. This new unit will bring great benefits to both staff and patients in Bronglais Hospital."
Opening the unit Jane Hutt said: "One of my major initiatives in the NHS Plan, Improving Health in Wales, is to ensure that the health service is able to provide a first class service. Being able to provide the highest standard of sterilisation and decontamination of instruments goes a long way to achieving this.
"Once the £8 million was allocated to this project I established a project board to oversee the work. This money has now been spent on purchasing new and improved washer-disinfectors and sterilisers. Many departments, like this one, have undergone significant structural works to ensure they meet the highest possible standard. In addition, tracking systems have been installed across Wales, allowing each department to track the use of all instruments.
"Wales appears to be ahead of the UK in its accreditation of sterile services departments to the European standard. This stems from the early leadership in Wales by members of the Institute of Sterile Service Management. I believe that recognition of the Institute and regulation via the Health Professions Council should help to continue to raise the profile of the profession.
"It goes without saying that the improvements to the department will have a hugely positive effect on a Trust's abilities to retain its skilled staff and to recruit others. This new unit will bring great benefits to both staff and patients in Bronglais Hospital."
Source:
Welsh Assembly Government
