New sterilising department for Kurri Hospital

11 December 2009

Work will start shortly on establishing a new $500,000 Central Sterilising Supply Department at Kurri Kurri District Hospital.

The department will include a new sterilising unit and associated equipment such as an ultrasonic cleaner, washer-disinfectant unit and drying cabinet.

The new sterilising department will provide sterilising services for both Kurri Kurri and Cessnock hospitals, as well as local GPs.

Lower Hunter Cluster General Manager Yvonne Patricks said the new Central Sterilising Supply Department would enhance services at Kurri Kurri District Hospital.

“Kurri Kurri’s old steriliser was decommissioned many years ago and for several years now we have been sterilising our surgical equipment and other instruments at Cessnock and other hospitals in the area,” Ms Patricks said.

“We have been planning for the new unit for some time and have worked with our staff and our surgeons, anaesthetists and local GPs to ensure minimal disruption to services for patients, doctors and staff.

Work is scheduled to begin before Christmas and is expected to take at least three months to complete.

In the meantime, scheduled surgery usually performed at Kurri Kurri will be temporarily transferred to Cessnock Hospital until the required building works and installation are complete.

“While surgery will temporarily be done at Cessnock, there will be no change to the booking process and all patients will continue to book through Kurri Kurri Hospital Admissions Office,” Ms Patricks said.

“Once the installation is complete, surgery usually undertaken at Kurri Kurri will return to Kurri Kurri.”

The new sterilising department will be established in the same location as the old department close to the hospital’s operating theatre, which has also recently been upgraded with new equipment including theatre beds and microscopes used for ophthalmic and ear, nose and throat surgery.

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216