NEW measures to reduce the risk of contamination on wards have been introduced at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital with the installation of Infection Control Enclosures (ICE).

The ICE pods are temporary, bespoke, prefabricated cubicles which can be erected on wards for patients who have a bacteria or virus, such as norovirus or MRSA, enabling staff to control any outbreaks.

Each pod has opaque lower level panels to offer privacy and include all the features of a normal ward bay, such as alcohol rub, oxygen and roof-mounted air conditioning units.

Staff nurse Becky Waite said: “The introduction of these pods enables faster isolation of infected patients and this is vital as the hospital looks to minimise the risk of bugs spreading.”

Infection control nurse Sharon Collinson said feedback from patients had been positive.