Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has seen the ‘appeal of steel’ satisfy its custom-made requirements for equipping a new endoscope reprocessing facility at St James’s Hospital.

Helene Barnes, acting endoscope decontamination manager, tells Hospital Matters: “I was a sister in operating theatres for 25 years at various hospitals in Yorkshire, followed by 10 years as a sister in intensive care. When the opportunity arose to oversee the final development phase of this new department and its initial operation, I jumped at the chance. I’ve been in post for six months, which has recently been extended to 11 months.

“I completed Decontamination Lead Training at Eastwood Park. The course covered everything I needed to know, it was very useful, very thorough. With the knowledge I’ve gathered I’ll also be part of the team to develop the new endoscope decontamination facility in the trust’s huge Bexley Wing – which is larger than many district hospitals.”

Helene explains: “Endoscope reprocessing at St James’s was previously carried out in two separate areas. In this new, centralised area we’re now reprocessing the scopes for urology, theatres, hysteroscopy, and bronchoscopy. The endoscopes for gastro and colonoscopy, currently reprocessed by the departments, will be reprocessed in the new facility in the Bexley Wing, when that comes on stream.”

Describing the various, key items of steel equipment in the department, Helene says: “Neocare, the supplier, was already involved with the project when I came on board. I’m so glad they are. Everything they have produced is so superior and nothing is too much trouble.

“When I first met Steve Ladley, Neocare’s managing director, he was installing the sinks, cupboards, and chemical store. I’ve been impressed with Steve and the quality of Neocare’s work. It’s absolutely first class.

“Since the initial requirements were fulfilled, I’ve ordered various things from Neocare because I knew it would be of the highest quality and at a competitive price.

“They’ve supplied the height adjustable sinks, the detergent dosing system, stainless steel cupboards, chemical store, trolleys, height adjustable tables, shoe store and the mobile ‘hook-up’ for scope connectors used for the endoscope washer-disinfectors.”

Speaking as the department is about to go ‘live’, Helene explains: “The trust decontamination and infection prevention quality audit will be undertaken. Our intention is also to go for ISO 13485, the quality standard for decontamination.

“Neocare’s work fits in with this perfectly. It’s a quality product. They’ve made customised things for us to the specific requirements of the department. Steve’s very knowledgeable and happy to give ideas. The end-product looks very good. It has a fantastic finish and is glare free.

“We’ve got a couple of customised products- the ‘hook-up’ and the shoe store. The ‘hook-up’ for the scope connectors is a mobile one, rather than wall-hung, as we were limited for wall space in the reprocessing area. We have four washer-disinfectors at present, but the plan isto increase to nine,so we needed to keep the wall space free.

“When I told Steve about the shoe store he sent designs over. It’s ideal. It has blue and white tips on as we’re using blue and white clogs in the washroom.

“For both the ‘hook-up’ and the shoe store, I said to Steve: ‘This is my vision, can you, do it?’ And he did it.”

Neocare’s Steve Ladley explains: “We originally tendered and won the steelwork contract for the refurbished endoscopy facility at nearby NHS trust. The trust instructed the M&E contractor on the project to use Neocare for all the stainless steelwork.

“That scheme was totally customised. We proved we could fabricate a whole range of different products to the department’s specification. We obviously impressed the contractor, because when they were appointed to handle the Leeds job they recommended us.

“Leeds took the recommendation on board. We had a few meetings with the project team. They gave us the plans and basically left it to us to come up with products that would work for them.”

“We’d already manufactured and installed the wall units, with slam close doors, they’re just one of our wide range of standard products. There were pass-through hatches too. We also manufactured and installed the bunded chemical store and the height adjustable sinks, which have our on-board chemical dosing system, plus its mount.

Steve explains: “We only worked with Helene towards the end of the project. It’s all been quick, custom-made work. After the original specification was completed, the team realised they needed more. Helene
came back with further items – the mobile ‘hook-up’ for the scope connectors, the shoe rack and the height adjustable packing tables.”

Describing the height adjustable sinks in more detail, Steve says: “The vertical height adjustment of the sinks is 350mm, others are usually only 150mm. Also, with others, the sink’s waste is chrome on brass, screwed into the bowl on a rubber seal. This can be a problem waiting to happen. It stays damp
and offers an ideal environment for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa to colonise.

“Neocare sinks are fabricated to be compliant with HTM 04-01, so we designout any hard to clean areas. The bowl wastes are fabricated from stainless steel and welded in-situ. We use WRAS-approved anti-microbial hose. This has a smooth lining and is impregnated with silver ions to prevent the build-up of biofilm. There are also options on self-drain taps. On-board dosing, leak testers, flushing devices, sink organisers, and special taps are other options which we can supply.

“Everything we do is fabricated here in the UK. All our products are custom-made by ourselves, in Marine Grade 316 stainless steel, which is resistant to blood and fatty acids.

“A special feature of the sinks is the ‘fill line’ which is electro-chemically ‘tattooed’ onto the surface. It’s not etched. It’s smooth, so there’s nowhere for bugs to hide. There’s no need for sticky labels with Neocare.

“The anti-glare finish, Neocare’s Easycare, is a customised finish applied at the fabrication stage to reduce eye strain from reflected glare. It’s available on all our stainless-steel products.”

Steve says: “Happily, we continue to be busy, designing, fabricating, and supplying products to both the NHS and private healthcare companies across the UK. Previous clients come back for additional items or new installations. We also have a high level of recommendations from both the NHS and commercial organisations, which is good. It shows they’re happy with our work, the quality and the price.”

Echoing this, Helene adds: “I’d certainly have no qualms over recommending Steve and Neocare to anyone else. Their standard work and all they can do with anything customised is absolutely first class.”