Sterile Services

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What is Sterile Services?

Many patients who contact our Hospitals at Ramsay Health Care have symptoms & conditions that may require surgery to help them. Our services and teams are all focussed on how we can support our patients. When a procedure or operation is performed, instruments and pieces of equipment are used, many of which are reusable. This equipment needs to be safe to use which means it must be clean, fully functional, and sterile (have no bacterial or viral contamination or substance on it that could harm a patient). To achieve this, a process of washing & disinfection, inspection, packing and sterilisation must be undertaken after every use. This process is carried out in highly controlled environments called Sterile Services Departments/Units.

Some people also refer to Sterile Services as:

These are referring to the same type of service. Some departments are standalone units separate from hospital sites and some smaller units are based on Hospital sites. Ramsay Health Care have a mixed Sterile Services model, with 2 large independent Hubs who provide a service for up to 10 Hospital sites. Smaller units may provide a service to 1 or 2 Hospitals.

Instruments & Equipment

Team Members & Roles in Sterile Services

A team of people work in these areas performing specific and essential roles which include:

Trainee Technicians

Individuals who have no previous experience and are learning about the process of decontamination. Once fully competent, trainees are promoted to a technician.

Technicians

Individuals who have been fully trained to inspect and process many complex instruments used in our operations. They also support trainee technicians with their learning.

Supervisors

These are senior technicians who are responsible for coordinating the day to day shift as well as support and manage a team.

Engineers

Highly trained individuals who ensure our equipment remains in full working order.

Administration Team

These are senior technicians who are responsible for coordinating the day to day shift as well as support and manage a team.

Drivers

Essential for delivering and picking up instruments to and from Hospital sites in readiness for our patients. We use a network of specially modified vans to achieve this in our larger sites.

Hub Manager

Has overall responsibility for the unit, ensuring the staff are safe, supported and that we provide a high quality service to our patients and hospital teams.

Quality Manager

Deputises for the Hub Manager & responsible for supporting the training and development of all team members as well as ensuring that key regulatory quality standards are upheld.

Housekeepers

critical to the safety of our units by helping to keep the working environment clean.
What makes us unique

Our patients are at the heart of what we do

  • friendly-hospitals-icon

    Friendly hospitals

    Our company ethos "People caring for people" means that every single day our teams selflessly put our patients' needs before their own to help deliver quick access to treatment, so you and your family do not have to worry and wait.

  • consultant-led-icon

    Consultant led care

    With more than 2500 consultants throughout the UK, you can opt for a specialist in the treatment you require. They will remain dedicated to your care throughout your stay and follow-up consultations.

  • excellent-infection-icon

    Excellent infection prevention

    Full adherence to all guidance issued from professional organisations including the Government and Public Health England.

  • viral-consultations-icon

    Patient Support

    We can provide access to a dedicated member of staff to talk through any concerns you may have prior to attending hospital.

  • free-parking-icon

    Free on-site parking

    Our hospitals are ensuring we have as many free car parking spaces available for our patients as possible.

Meet The Team

duncan-roper

Duncan Roper

National Decontamination Lead

We are completely behind the scenes and out of the limelight, but the work we do is vital in the context of infection prevention and successful outcomes of surgical procedures. I like sharing my knowl...

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wayne-austin

Wayne Austin

Administration Assistant

I am responsible for resolving problems with instruments, setting up new trays & supplimentaries, and liaising with our theatre departments, to make sure the equipment they need is sent out to them in...

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mick-decontamination-driver

Mick Almond

Lead Driver

Without Sterile Services drivers moving surgical equipment between hospitals and Sterile Services, the hospitals would cease to do operations in a matter of days, and this would not only affect hospit...

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debbie-robinson

Debbie Robinson

Decontamination Manager

I manage the Hub and ensure that all the different departments work together in sync to reach the end goal, which is that the Instrumentation is fit for purpose for the patients. Every day is different...

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Hear from more of our team members
Testimonials

Considering Sterile Services as a Career

  • Ramsay has always supported me in any training or developments opportunities that have enabled me to progress in my career. I have worked with many people who supported me in my roles within Ramsay and Decontamination, we all work as a team.

    07/09/2023

  • Ramsay offer a fantastic range of courses and training so there are lots of ways staff can develop their skills in a particular area. Everybody I work with here at the hub, has a laugh and a joke, and we are like close family.

    07/09/2023

  • Everyone is very friendly; we all help each other, and we are all dedicated to doing a great job. It is an extremely welcoming space due to the members of staff that create such a warm, welcoming, and happy work environment.

    10/09/2023

  • I know there is opportunities to raise my level higher in the company. Everyone here is friendly and have great personalities. The culture is hard working with great spirits.

    02/09/2023

  • Team spirit is high with people enjoying working together, this, in turn increases morale and ultimately, productivity. I feel there is the opportunity to further our careers.

    01/09/2023

Our Eastern Hub is located in Braintree, Essex and is a purpose built, standalone facility. The Hub was built in 2008 employs over 40 local people in the various roles and provides services to a number of large Ramsay Hospital sites.

Ramsay Sterile Services East

A network of Sterile Service Departments within Hospitals across our UK network. These are smaller and typically provide a service to one or two hospitals. The teams tend to be smaller, but each member is essential to the successful delivery of their service.

Hospital Based SSD’s

Our Northern Hub is located in Preston, Lancashire and is a purpose built, standalone facility. The Hub was built in 2009 and employs over 40 local people in the various roles and provides services up to 9 Ramsay Hospital sites as well as several external customers.

Ramsay Sterile Services North

We are currently building a brand new Hub as part of our expansion within the Midlands. Our new Hub will be located in Kettering and will be opening its doors from April 2023. The Hub will be the largest unit we operate and will be providing services to a number of Ramsay Hospital sites in the area.

Ramsay Sterile Services Midlands