Safety recommendation
HSIB recommends that NHS England and NHS Improvement develops a competency framework, stating skills, qualifications and professional registration as required, for all sterile services staff and includes it in Health Technical Memorandum 01-01.
Response:
Actions planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Competency frameworks for major elements of NHS Estates work, and decontamination of surgical instruments is included in the list of areas to be included, by 31 March 2023. Resources in place: resources have not yet been identified for this work, but will be included in the budget requests for 2023-24.
Response received on 1 November 2022.
NHS England has released a technical bulletin on the competency framework for staff working in sterile services and decontamination departments. The bulletin outlines the knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours required by staff working in decontamination units to ensure the highest standards of decontamination are achieved.
Updated on 13 March 2024.