Princess Alexandra Hospital officially opened its new state-of-the-art endoscopy reprocessing galley, strengthening infection prevention standards and safety for patients having scoping procedures.
The purpose-built space supports the safe cleaning and high-level disinfection of endoscopic equipment used in over 14,000 procedures each year. Designed to meet contemporary infection-control standards, the new unit improves workflow, traceability, and quality-assurance processes.
Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Professor Gerald Holtmann said the new facility represents an important investment in patient trust.
“Patients may never see this room, but it plays a critical role in every safe procedure we perform. This was a challenging project with clinical pressure to overcome interruptions to service with our equipment,” Prof Holtmann said.
“This upgrade advances us into a new era and ensures our work behind the scenes delivers the highest standards of care.”
The new reprocessing space provides enhanced infection prevention, improved efficiency for clinical teams with greater reliability, equipment tracking and documentation, as well as support for future service growth.
Divisional Director for Division of Medicine, Jenny Paton said this investment in safe, high-quality clinical services is a direct benefit to both patients and the staff who run that service.
“The collaborative design reflects systems thinking, ergonomic workflows that reduce strain, safer handling and reprocessing practices, and separated space for high‑risk tasks,” she said.
“But more than that, this state-of-the-art cleaning galley represents a commitment to caring for our staff who are the foundation of the quality services we provide.”
Metro South Health Chief Operating Officer, Paula Foley marked the opening by initiating the unit’s first cleaning cycle, symbolising the hospital’s ongoing commitment to safe, high-quality care.
“The throughput of endoscopy procedures in this unit each year is significant, so it was essential to invest in this upgrade which has such an impact on what you do here every day,” Ms Foley said.
“This is just the start and we are looking at the expansion of a fifth procedure room and how we can further advance the amazing services provided here in the Endoscopy Unit at PA Hospital.”
This cleaning galley is a symbol of the kind of health service we strive to be: one that values its people, prioritises safety, and commits to investing in better care for our community.