A new £10 million central decontamination unit (CDU) has been opened at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.

The new state of the art unit can clean over 200,000 surgical trays each year, the equivalent of six million surgical instruments and also contains a wash room equipped with 12 disinfector machines which are used to clean and disinfect all surgical instruments used during operations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Health Minister Paul Goggins said: “The proper sterilisation and cleaning of instruments is absolutely crucial. The surgeons may be the people in the front-line of patient care, but their job would be impossible without the support of a wider team, and the role of CDU staff within that team is vital.

“As we concentrate on reducing waiting lists and making sure that patients receive their surgery in a more timely fashion the contribution of the new decontamination unit will be indispensable.”

During the opening, the Minister also met with staff and patients at the hospital’s Fractures Ward, which was completed in 2002 as part of phase one of the redevelopment.

Commenting on the facilities, the Mr Goggins said: “The Royal Hospital now performs more fracture operations than ever and has been consistently in the top 10% of hospitals with long-term successful outcomes throughout the UK. These wonderful new facilities in a modern and comfortable environment will benefit both patients and staff.”

The Minister also met with cataract pre-assessment nurses, who meet with patients before their operation, in order to carry out initial tests, thereby freeing up consultants’ time. The service has helped reduce waiting times for cataract operations to less than six months.

Mr Goggins said: “The Royal Group of Hospitals has always had a special place in the hearts of Northern Ireland people, leading the way with advances in treatments and technologies. These new facilities, along with the people who work in them, will keep the Royal at the forefront of healthcare in Northern Ireland well into the 21st century.”

Phase one of the redevelopment at the Royal Hospitals site was completed in 2002, and involved the construction of a new seven-storey development linking to a refurbished building where many acute specialities are located.

This provides 400 beds, four theatres and a recovery unit as part of a 10-theatre suite, a three-theatre day procedure unit and a three-room endoscopy suite, fracture clinic and intensive care unit.

(EF/SP)