A new state-of-the-art Sterile Services Department has opened at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, supporting thousands of patients each year.
The facility replaces an ageing unit affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and has been relocated into a modern, purpose-built modular building as part of the hospital’s safety programme.
The department plays a vital role in patient care, with specialist staff responsible for cleaning, decontaminating and sterilising all reusable medical equipment used across the hospital, as well as supporting community services such as GPs, dentists and podiatrists.
Hospital figures show the team processed around 77,000 instrument trays for surgical procedures during 2025–26.
The new unit includes upgraded technology to improve efficiency, reliability and quality, while also providing better working conditions for staff.
Hospital leaders say the move ensures the continued delivery of safe, high-quality care, with sterile equipment essential for every operation and clinical procedure.
The facility will also form part of the hospital’s longer-term infrastructure as plans progress for a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital under the Government’s New Hospital Programme.
