The construction of a £5m hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit (HSDU), which will serve the UK's Colchester General and Essex County hospitals, has commenced.
The new 1040m² unit will replace the existing facility and will be equipped with new equipment.
The HSDU reprocesses instruments and equipment required for clinical intervention in the treatment of patients.
Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust special projects and estates director Nick Chatten said, "When the new unit is complete, Colchester will have one of the most efficient HSDUs in the NHS East of England region."
The main contractors for the project will be Rose Builders of Lawford.
The new unit is scheduled to become operational in July 2012.
