ARROWE Park Hospital has opened a new state-of-the-art isolation ward in response to antibiotic resistance.

The purpose-built facility has been designed to manage patients who are at risk of spreading harmful bacteria to others.

Boasting eight individual isolation suites, complete with ensuite bathrooms and an entrance lobby to each room, the new unit is designed to help stop infection from spreading to other patients on the ward and beyond.

Andrea Ledgerton, associate director of infection prevention and control for Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “With antibiotic resistance a growing cause for concern, antibiotics cannot always be relied on.

“Prevention of infection in the first instance is the most important factor.

“As new infections and diseases evolve, it’s important that our hospitals do too.

“Having this unit means that our staff caring for our patients are better-equipped with the facilities to allow effective infection prevention measures to be performed the right way every time.”

The new isolation ward opened during Antibiotic Awareness Week.

The global campaign highlights the importance of using antibiotics correctly and reducing the spread of antibiotic resistant organisms causing infections.

 One such organism is CPE (Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae), a multi-drug resistant organism that can live harmlessly in the gut, but if it gets into a person’s bloodstream, lungs, urinary tract or wound for example, can cause serious infection.

Andrea added:” With a focus on good infection prevention, to include identifying patients with infection promptly, isolating them effectively, prudent use of antibiotics and of course excellent hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, we aim to protect our patients, staff and visitors from infection.”