Concerns over key medical equipment

Concerns over key medical equipment

8 July 2015

AN Assemblyman has claimed “people’s health could be neglected” because a key piece of medical equipment at the Ulster Hospital is out of use.

Mr Chris Hazzard said it was his understanding that colorectal manometry equipment — which is used for anal and bowel investigations — is not being used as a result of what he described as “sterilisation issues.”

Branding the situation as “unacceptable,” Mr Hazzard said the South Eastern Trust “needs to review the compatibility of this equipment with sterilisation methods.”

He continued: “I am concerned the Trust has purchased a major piece of equipment that is now obsolete due to its incompatibility with sterilisation methods which is a complete waste of money.

“The Trust must now tell us when, if ever, this equipment will be fully functional again and what alternatives have been put in place to ensure patients who have been waiting for nearly two years are seen as soon as possible.”

Mr Hazzard said he has raised the issue with Stormont Health Minister Simon Hamilton “so we can get the proper equipment in place in order to carry out the procedures that are much needed.”

A Trust spokeswoman said it is important to stress that endo anal manometry is not related to any investigation or treatment for cancer, explaining it can be used as an investigation to measure anal sphincter strength and tone for patients with bowel dysfunction. 

“Whilst the new equipment does not require commissioning, the type of disinfection will be subject to validation before it can be used. There remains a significant issue around decontamination and high level disinfection of this piece of equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.  

“The medical device is ‘CE’ marked, however the decontamination and disinfection of this machine did not meet the higher threshold of decontamination standards expected in Northern Ireland.

During the procurement process, the Trust were assured by the supplier as to the disinfection of this medical device.”

The Trust official said the organisation has consulted with the Department of Health’s decontamination engineer to determine what action it will take regarding decontamination of this device.

The spokeswoman added: “Regardless of where this procedure could be carried out, until such times the Trust and the Department are satisfied with the decontamination process, it would not be appropriate for this equipment to be used for the reasons outlined above.

“The Trust is hopeful a solution can be agreed in the near future and further meetings have been arranged during the summer. The Trust is not in the position to provide a time line of when this process will be completed, but is using its best endeavours to validate the disinfection process and then commence the use of this equipment.”