Following repairs and environmental testing, NHS Grampian’s Central Decontamination Unit, at Foresterhill, in Aberdeen, has reopened.

 

The health board announced last week that the facility had been affected by a mechanical failure in its specialist ventilation system.

 

With NHS Grampian’s other Aberdeen facility, at Woodend Hospital, also out of action due to damage from a lightning strike, it was announced that some operations would be postponed as a result, due to a lack of sterile surgical equipment.

 

Divisional general manager, Cameron Matthew said: “I’m pleased to say that we have been able to reopen our CDU at Foresterhill.

 

“Regrettably, by this morning we had been forced to postpone around 16 operations a day since August 28, and I would once again like to apologise to all patients who have been affected.

 

“Our usual workload in Grampian is around 103 surgical procedures per day and we are now working to get back to that level and we anticipate a smaller number of postponements in the coming days, as CDU staff work to clear a backlog of equipment.

 

“We will contact anyone whose operations is affect directly – if you do not hear from us, it is because your operation is still due to go ahead.

 

“We understand that waits for most operations are already longer than we would like, and we realise that there is a very real impact on the quality of life to many of the people waiting for procedures.

 

“If your procedure has been postponed as a result of this, please be assured that we will reschedule your surgery at the earliest possible opportunity.”

 

NHS Grampian’s CDU staff had been travelling to sites around the country to utilise spare capacity at other boards, to ensure enough equipment was available to undertake as many surgeries as possible – and that there was always enough equipment for emergency operations and C-sections.

 

Mr Matthew added: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank our CDU colleagues who have worked tirelessly to provide the equipment we needed to treat those patients.

 

“The CDU staff always do an incredible job behind the scenes. In a normal week in we undertake around 720 surgical procedures and the staff in our CDUs do an incredible amount of unseen work to allow us to do that.”

 

Work to repair NHS Grampian’s smaller CDU at Woodend Hospital, in Aberdeen, following a lightning strike continues with the support of external specialists.