NW textile firm says it’s curtains for MRSA

NORTH West textile and furnishings contractor Whitaker Services is leading the war on hospital superbugs such as MRSA.

The Rochdale company – which today announced a 20% hike in sales to £12m in the last year – has installed a pioneering infection control curtain at a hospital trust in Nottingham.

Whitaker, which is part of Manchester-based Vision Support Services, the £45m turnover textiles group, was commissioned by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust to fit bed and window curtains at the Trust’s two teaching hospitals in the city.

The project follows the launch of Whitaker’s new Microshield infection control range, which prevents the spread of hospital bugs by killing any bacteria deposited on them.

The Nottingham contract was for 2,000 beds. Research has shown that 40% of bacteria present within a hospital ward is found on textiles such as curtains, bedding and uniforms.

Whitaker’s Microshield curtains are treated with Cliniweave, a revolutionary anti-microbial treatment which is effective against healthcare-associated infections such as MRSA and C. difficile as well as SARS and bird flu.

Whitaker Services supplies the public and education sectors. Customers include the Ministry of Defence, the Prison Service and several universities.

General manager Bruce Fielden said: “The Microshield infection control curtains set the standard for hospital textiles. No other product on the market is as effective against such a broad spectrum of bacteria.

“The partnership with Nottingham has provided the opportunity to bring this highly innovative product to market. Given the NHS campaign to combat hospital infections, we expect other trusts will now follow Nottingham’s lead.”

Mr Fielden added: “Given today’s tough trading environment we are particularly pleased with our continued growth.  Our product and service offerings are second to none and the launch of the infection control range further strengthens our position as a leading supplier in the healthcare arena.  We are confident about the future and expect to see further growth over the next 12 months.”