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.