NHS Grampian cancels more than 40 operations after 'substance' found on sterilised surgical tools

More than 40 operations have been cancelled in Aberdeen due to a lack of sterile surgical tools.

On Friday, NHS Grampian said an “unknown substance” was found on instruments after being processed using the central decontamination unit at Foresterhill.

As a result, dozens of scheduled procedures have been cancelled while the source is identified and all equipment cleaned.

The unit at Foresterhill is now out of use while the unit at Woodend will continue to operate, however it cannot process enough instruments required to carry out all planned procedures.

NHS staff in Aberdeen will focus on emergency operations, caesarean sections and cancer care while the issue is identified.

NHS Grampian apologised for the impact on patients and said it understood the “very real impact on the quality of life” for those on long waiting lists for procedures.

It added surgeries will be rescheduled at the “earliest possible opportunity once the situation has been resolved”.

An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: “We apologise to everyone who has been affected by this. We understand waits for most operations are already longer than we would like, and we realise there is a very real impact on the quality of life to many of the people waiting for procedures. If your procedure is postponed, please be assured that we will reschedule your surgery at the earliest possible opportunity, once the situation has been resolved.

“An unknown substance was observed on instruments following processing. Until the source is identified and all equipment cleaned the facility at Foresterhill is out of use.

“Our facility at Woodend continues to operate, however it cannot process all the instruments required. We are in contact with other health boards to explore mutual aid and are grateful for the support we have been offered already.”