NHS reopens decontamination unit months after surgical tools contaminated

NHS Grampian has reopened a decontamination unit months after an “unknown substance” was found on sterile surgical tools after they had been processed.

A fault was found with the Foresterhill Central Decontamination Unit, which washes, disinfects and sterilises surgical instruments. It was closed at the beginning of October 2025.

Concerns were raised during a routine service at Foresterhill Central Decontamination Unit, which washes, disinfects and sterilises surgical instruments, and a small number of instruments were found to be contaminated after processing.

The issues led to more than 1,400 appointments, including surgeries, being cancelled in Aberdeen.

On Friday, NHS Grampian announced that the unit has reopened and restored full sterilising capacity after months of refurbishment.

The unit will gradually increase the number of instruments it processes at the facility over the coming weeks.

“The unit is now operational, and we’re doing some work to make sure staff are brought up to speed on the operation of and the processes that support our brand new washer-disinfectant machines,” vascular surgeon and acute medical director, Paul Bachoo, who has been leading recovery efforts, said.

“Extensive works have included the installation and commissioning of two new washer disinfectors so far, with three more going through the final checks.

“We’ve improved ventilation at the facility, upgraded the compressed air supply used for equipment controls and switched over to a previously installed reverse osmosis water plant, as well as replacing ceiling, flooring, walls and hatches as part of an extensive refurbishment programme.”

Mr Bachoo added: “I’d like to underline the importance of the extensive work done to make sure the unit is much more resilient from now on. We’re grateful to teams within NHS Grampian and around the country for their hard work, and for everyone’s patience as we’ve worked through this. Apologies once again to everyone whose procedures were postponed. It hasn’t been easy but we are getting there now.”