Nuffield's Sterilisation Units

As previously reported, a desire for better standards of cleanliness is the top reason people choose to go for private medical insurance rather than the NHS. This month Nuffield Health, the independent hospital group and wellbeing provider has completed the final phase of its three year build of 6 six hospital sterile service units (HSSUs). The latest facility is in Eastleigh Hampshire.

Sterile service units are responsible for cleaning and sterilising tools and equipment, particularly those used during surgery. A strict cleaning and sterilisation process puts each medical device through a range of procedures ending in testing and finally packaging ready for redistribution.

The current project which was started in 2006 has cost £27 million. The other Nuffield hospitals which already have these facilities are the in: Cambridge, Stoke on Trent, Tiverton, Warwick and Wetherby. Each of the 6 facilities have taken 22 weeks to complete and are all authorised to offer decontamination services to other hospitals as well as GP's and dentists.

Each unit has been sanctioned by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for having the correct specifications to pass the necessary European Medical Devices Directive (EC93/42), As well as providing state of the art sterilisation services, the facilities free up valuable ward and theatre space.

Nuffield Health have 30 hospitals across the UK and 52 fitness and wellbeing centres. They take self-pay clients as well as private health insurance patients.