RCS: Scheme not properly trialled

A scheme of using private sector decontamination centres to clean NHS equipment was not properly trialled before it came into practice, the head of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) has said.

RCS president Bernard Ribeiro made the claim after surgeons raised concerns with the standard of care for NHS equipment receives from these centres.

A survey by the RCS of over 250 surgeons found that two-thirds were unhappy about the availability and condition of instruments sent for sterilisation away from the hospital.

"This is yet another example where something that looks good on paper in Whitehall gets rolled out across the country without adequate professional consultation and proper piloting," said Mr Ribeiro.

"The NHS needs the best decontamination service possible."