Stafford Hospital's Critical Care Unit forced to close

Stafford Hospital's Critical Care Unit is to close for a week following the discovery of potentially deadly bacteria.

Bosses at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust have pledged to ensure vital treatment continues at other sites, but have admitted some operations may need to be postponed.

Traces of a drug-resistant strain of the acinetobacter bacteria have been found on the ward, meaning it has to be deep cleaned before it can be reopened to patients.

The unit will close from Sunday while the work takes place.

Arrangements have been made to provide suitable treatment at other facilities.

Trust spokeswoman Claire Hall said: "We will ensure that patients are cared for appropriately in relation to their treatment needs while the deep clean is taking place.

"This may mean that a small number of planned operations may need to be postponed and we apologise to patients for any inconvenience.

"Those whose operations are affected will be given as much notice as possible."

But she added: "The closure will only affect elective surgery and emergency treatment will not be affected. We will be making sure that any operations cancelled are re-arranged as soon as practically possible."

Acinetobacter is a common bacteria, readily found in drinking and surface water, soil, sewage and food.

It is also commonly found on the skin and usually poses very few risks to healthy individuals. Acinetobacter infections acquired in the community are very rare and most strains found outside hospitals are sensitive to antibiotics.

But drug-resistant strains - such as the type identified at Stafford - can cause life-threatening infections in patients suffering from illness. These strains are also very difficult to treat.

The most common infections caused include pneumonia, bacteraemia blood stream infection, wound infections and urinary tract infections. Ms Hall added: "The closure will only affect elective surgery and emergency treatment will not be affected.

"We will be making sure that any operations cancelled are re-arranged as soon as practically possible."

Five wards at Stafford Hospital were closed following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus in March.