A great debate: sustainable decontamination

Does passionate idealism for sustainable decontamination threaten patient safety, or do we need to rethink the culture of single use? These were some of the questions debated at The Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Meeting.

Once again, the CSC Annual Meeting hosted a thought-provoking discussion, as part of the Great Debate, which saw passions run high. Chaired by Pat Cattini, this lively session considered whether: "Passionate idealism for sustainable decontamination threatens patient safety". Arguing for the motion was Mike Simmons and against was Mahmood Bhutta.

Before the debate, a show of hands showed that the room was split virtually 50/50 in terms of the motion (with a very slight majority against).

First to speak, in support of the motion, was Mike Simmons — a Consultant Medical Microbiologist who previously worked for the Public Health Laboratory Service. He joined the NHS in 1990 before working for the CMO in Wales in 2000. From 2010, he returned to Carmarthen as the Clinical Lead for Microbiology for the Hywel Dda University Health Board Microbiology Service, provided by Public Health Wales. While working for the Welsh Government, he chaired the decontamination project that led to all HSDUs in Wales achieving Medical Device Directive accreditation. Since that time, he has chaired the All Wales Sterilisation and Decontamination Group.

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