Dhelkaya Health has successfully completed a major redevelopment of its Theatre Central Sterile Service Department (CSSD), delivering a new state-of-the-art facility that meets the latest national safety standards and enhances surgical care for the Mount Alexander Shire community.
The $1.65 million project, funded through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, upgraded the CSSD to full compliance with the new national standard AS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health and non-health related facilities. Compliance with the new national standard will become mandatory in December 2028.
Sarah Chadwick, Director of Clinical Services, said: “Thanks to the redevelopment, our October tracking results on surgical throughput showed in October 2025 we safely performed 374 same day operations. This is among the highest number of same day surgeries our hard-working surgical teams have achieved, all the while maintaining our rigorous safety standards. “
Completed over a 14-week period between May and October 2025, the redevelopment has resulted in significant improvements to separation of work zones, workflow and air flow management, water treatment systems, and upgraded sterilisers and washer disinfectors.
Ms Chadwick said: “These improvements will deliver benefits for patients through enhanced infection control and faster access to care. Reducing instrument turnaround times means we’ve been able to increase theatre throughput, which in turn helps to shorten waiting times for planned surgeries for people living in our community and surrounding areas”.
Surgical services operated at 50% capacity during the construction phase, with one theatre in use. Thanks to careful planning and staff flexibility essential and urgent procedures continued without interruption.
Dhelkaya Health extends its gratitude to the theatre teams, Visiting Medical Officers, support staff, and the community for their patience and cooperation throughout the project.
The redeveloped CSSD is now fully operational, marking a significant milestone in Dhelkaya Health’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable healthcare close to home. The upgrade will help the health service meet growing community demand for surgical services over the next decade and beyond.
