THE antibiotic bacteria crisis which hit Poole Hospital nearly two weeks ago is starting to abate, hospital chiefs have said.

Director of nursing at Poole Hospital, Patricia Reid, said: "We can confirm that as of May 21, one ward is currently closed to new admissions in order to limit potential spread of the bacteria."

At its height the outbreak resulted in the closure of three wards and affected patients from eight others, and patients being transferred from Poole to other hospitals risked being isolated unless cleared by test results.

The hospital also issued an urgent plea to people not to visit their A&E unless it was a "life or limb-threatening emergency" as it was under "extreme pressure".

The bacteria was detected during routine inpatient screening during March and April and showed an increase in the number of patients carrying Extended spectrum beta-lactamases klebsiella pneumoniae, the hospital said. Because of the way it behaves, it means that antibiotics don't always treat the infection caused by the ESBL bacteria.

Ms Reid said: "Our A&E situation is improving, although we continue to ask the public to use alternative services wherever possible and keep A&E for those who are gravely ill or injured.

"Even though the risk to visitors is low, we continue to ask the public that they do not attend the hospital if they have been unwell in the past 48 hours to support good infection control practice."