HOSPITAL staff at Papworth have collected another accolade as their Sterile Services Department (SSD) has become the first in the area to achieve both national and European accreditation. The achievement was based on the department s work carrying out tas

HOSPITAL staff at Papworth have collected another accolade as their Sterile Services Department (SSD) has become the first in the area to achieve both national and European accreditation.

The achievement was based on the department's work carrying out tasks of sterilisation and de-contamination of re-usable medical devices.

Built in 2003, Papworth's state-of-the-art SSD has 10 members of staff who carry out the work in shifts making sure devices are ready for the operating theatres, wards and various other departments including critical care and radiology.

General manager, Pam Blomiley said: "I am thrilled that after all the planning for the new SSD, plus the hard work put in by the staff and the qualifications they have gained, that we have achieved these quality standards.