Daily Telegraph, 2 August 2021:
…..General Manager Clarence Health Service Dan Madden said that on February 19, issues were detected with the steam sterilisers used in the Grafton Base Hospital surgical department.
“Staff identified the affected equipment as part of their usual checking process, rejected them for use, and ceased using the sterilising machines immediately,” he said.
“Technicians began working immediately to examine and repair the machines, including replacing some components…..
However, at the end of April, the health service confirmed the fixes were not working, and approximately 20 per cent of surgery at the hospital had been affected.
“Additional surgical instruments are being sourced to supplement the supply at GBH, and extra capacity is being added at the Lismore Base
Hospital sterilising department to provide support, but some surgical cases are being rescheduled,” NNSWLHD CEO Wayne Johns said.
“We are working with surgeons and waitlist staff to minimise delays and are taking clinical conditions into account when rescheduling cases,” he said.
In May, more community reports of cancelled operations emerged. Claims that items sent away for sterilisation were returning wet, or unclean, led the health service to reveal $1m would be spent on new equipment.
“Two new sterilisers are expected within weeks after safely clearing quarantine, with other equipment on order from Italy,” Mr Jones said
“We wish to assure the community that no affected instruments have been used in any surgical procedures.”
Acting NNSWLHD CEO Lynne Weir said that supply chain issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic had delayed the arrival of necessary equipment to upgrade the existing surgical unit inside the hospital.
“These issues are now resolved and it is anticipated work on the surgical unit will be completed by October,” she said.
“Capital works will involve the removal of old equipment, reconfiguration of the internal space and replacement of equipment including a new reverse osmosis water treatment unit to mitigate against any issues with on-site water filtration systems which supply the sterilising equipment.”
