A specialist decontamination business is continuing to build on years of success by bringing together NHS trusts from across the region for a dedicated industry forum.
All Things Decontamination (ATD) Ltd, founded by former Royal Air Force engineer Tony Sullivan, delivers specialist decontamination training, auditing and consultancy services to hospitals and organisations across the North East and beyond.
The business has grown consistently over recent years, expanding its services, workforce and reputation within a vital but often unseen sector.
Decontamination units are responsible for reprocessing surgical instruments and medical devices. While the service operates largely behind the scenes, no NHS operation can take place without it.
Tony brings more than two decades of experience from the Royal Air Force, followed by decontamination management roles in the private engineering support services and across multiple NHS trusts.
His expertise proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he supported external decontamination efforts, delivering training and guidance in care homes, sporting arenas, schools, universities and even the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Building on this experience, All Things Decontamination has developed bespoke training programmes for decontamination managers, engineers and technicians, alongside high-quality e-learning courses designed to improve standards and consistency across the sector.
As part of its continued growth and leadership within the industry, Tony recently hosted a regional decontamination discussion forum at the North East BIC, bringing together representatives from NHS decontamination units across the North East and Cumbria.
With ten trusts operating in the region, the forum provided a rare opportunity for professionals to share challenges, discuss changing regulations and explore the future of decontamination, including emerging technologies such as robotics.
Tony said: “The industry is constantly evolving, whether its new regulations or new technologies and there hasn’t really been a space in the North East for open discussion.
“Bringing people together to talk through the pain points and share experiences was hugely valuable, and the response showed there’s a real appetite for this kind of collaboration.”
Due to its success, the forum will now run on a quarterly basis.
All Things Decontamination has been based at the BIC since 2023 and has expanded its presence there as the business has grown, moving from coworking space into larger offices to support its expanding team and services.
The support from the BIC has played a key role in the business’s continued development, including access to the Veterans RV programme, ongoing business advice and support to secure funding for growth.
Tony added: “The guidance I’ve had from the BIC has been invaluable. Even after completing the Veterans RV programme, the support has continued.
“John [Forth] and Anthony [McDermott] have always been there to offer advice, and the BIC’s help in securing funding allowed us to develop our online training platform and invest in the business.”
Paul McEldon OBE, chief executive of the BIC, said: “Tony has built a highly respected business over a number of years, underpinned by deep technical knowledge and a clear commitment to raising standards.
“The fact he is now convening NHS trusts from across the region shows the level of trust and credibility he has developed and it’s great to see that success continue.”
For more information on the North East BIC, visit: https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/
