Operations put on hold after closure of sterilisation unit

AT least 140 patients, including some urgent cancer cases, have had their operations cancelled because of problems with a surgical decontamination unit.

Hospitals across Glasgow have been affected and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is prioritising emergency surgery.

It comes after the unexpected closure of the Cowlairs decontamination unit in the city’s Springburn, which supplies hospital theatres and clinics with vital surgical equipment.

The unit was inspected this week and concerns were raised about the fabric of the building.

Repair work is now urgently being carried out but operations at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Stobhill Hospital, Gartnavel General Hospital and New Victoria Hospital have been affected.

They include routine and urgent cases as well as some major surgeries. A total of 53 operations were cancelled on Friday and 87 on Tuesday. NHSGGC also confirmed that some procedures were postponed yesterday.

Cowlairs is, according to the health board, responsible for collecting, decontaminating and sterilising millions of instruments a year before returning them to clinical staff.

A spokesman said: ‘Following the closure of the unit on Friday, we have put in place alternative arrangements for this decontamination process. The logistics of this have been challenging – we are working with other health boards over the country and this affects the time it takes for the equipment to be delivered back to us.

‘This has meant that some, but not all, of our non-urgent cases have been rescheduled.’