Surgical sterilisation unit opens in Leicester

A new £3.5m centre for sterilising surgical equipment has officially opened in Leicestershire.

The plant, run by medical firm Synergy, will clean and sterilise more than five million medical instruments a year.

The surgical Items are washed by hand and then sterilised in steam ovens at a temperature of more than 130 C.

The Leicester Decontamination Service prepares sterilised equipment for the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General and Glenfield Hospital.

The new facility is a privately-run firm and will also prepare instruments for GPs and dentists.