OUH sterile services team shortlisted for 2026 Award

The Sterile Services Decontamination Department, part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), is a finalist for the Award for Excellence at the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026.

The awards ceremony will take place at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Thursday, June 18.

The team, based across the John Radcliffe Hospital, the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, is responsible for decontaminating and sterilising reusable surgical instruments and medical devices.

An anonymous nominator said: “Behind every safe and successful surgery is a sterile services decontamination technician that never compromises on standards.

“The Sterile Services Decontamination Department delivers Excellence not through visibility or recognition, but through consistency, precision, and an uncompromising commitment to patient safety.

“As a department, it plays a critical role in the Trust’s ability to provide safe, timely, and effective surgical care, ensuring that every instrument released meets the highest standards, every time.”

Led by Gavin Luck and managed by Linda Kinane and Clair Lamburn, the team has been praised for its strong leadership and unwavering focus on patient safety.

Mr Luck, head of Sterile Services and Trust Decontamination Lead, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that our department has been recognised as a finalist for the Award for Excellence.

“Our team works behind the scenes to make sure reusable surgical instruments are processed to the highest standards so patients can receive safe care.

“This nomination is a real credit to the professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment our colleagues show every day.”

Although largely unseen by patients and the public, the Sterile Services team is considered essential to the safe delivery of surgical care across all OUH hospitals.

The department’s work was described in its nomination as “The Sterile Services Decontamination Department exemplifies Excellence through consistency, resilience, and integrity.”

The Award for Excellence is for the person or team that consistently demonstrates excellence; through the quality of their work, or through the care and services they provide.

Other finalists for the award include the Sagittarius Team (University-NHS Ulcerative Colitis Flare Programme), Dr Garry Tan, and Kerrie Woods.

This year’s OUH Staff Recognition Awards received more than 1,900 nominations.

A spokesperson for OUH said: “Congratulations to all teams, individual members of staff, volunteers, and fundraisers who were nominated for the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026, and thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate.”