This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Infectious Diseases Unit
16/09/2002
A new Infectious Disease Unit and Outpatient Clinic Area
at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee was officially opened
today.
The unit was purpose built for the management of
patients with infectious disease as well of a range of
community and healthcare associated infections (HAIs).
It became operational on December 5, 2001.
The unit has 18 beds and six state of the art negative
pressure isolation facilities to manage respiratory
infections such as drug resistant tuberculosis.
A modern infectious disease service incorporates:
- management of HAI throughout the hospital
- management of bone and joint infections
- provision of a travel and immunisation service
- provision of an ambulatory parental therapy service
for a range of antibiotics which can be delivered in
the community
- care of HIV and Hepatitis C infected patients
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
I am very pleased to see the new unit and meet the staff
and I recognise the dedication of those involved. It is
important that we all recognise that communicable disease
and infections remain a major threat.
"Our National Health - A Plan for Action, A Plan for
Change confirmed the importance of ensuring prudent use of
antibiotics; developing immunisation and screening
programmes; strengthening and monitoring infection control
procedures; and putting more resources into tackling modern
epidemics.
"All these steps are being taken. This unit is at the
cutting edge of managing a range of infectious diseases. I
am delighted to declare this unit open and wish staff well
in their aim to provide first class treatment and care for
benefit for those who have been stricken with
infection.
Infectious diseases account for 41 per cent of the
global disease burden, with infections such as HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria accounting for millions of deaths
across the world each year.
n the UK, although the major infectious diseases kill
only a small number of people compared to the past,
infection is still important. For example, infections
account for 70,000 deaths each year and up to 5,000
patients may die as a result of HAIs each year.
New and emerging diseases are an important issue. Since
the 1970s at least 30 previously unknown infectious
diseases have become prominent, for which there is no fully
effective treatment, e.g. HIV, Ebola and vCJD.