HOSPITALS in Gloucestershire will benefit from new antimicrobial disposable privacy curtains, following a recent roll-out.

Gloucestershire Hospitals and Gloucestershire Managed Services believe the curtains will help reduce infection risk, support safer working for staff, and create cleaner, more efficient clinical spaces.

The curtains replace traditional fabric with Fantex IPC, which is disposable and manufactured from hygienic, non‑woven polypropylene, treated with Fantex antimicrobial technology.

NHS Gloucestershire said the curtains are “scientifically proven to kill 99.9 per cent of harmful pathogens within one minute”, including MRSA, CRE and coronavirus, helping to reduce the risk of cross‑contamination in high‑touch patient areas.

Kerry Holden, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control said: “Privacy curtains are one of the most frequently touched surfaces in patient care areas. Fantex IPC antimicrobial curtains have been found to strengthen infection prevention measures. Evidence from implementation elsewhere shows up to 85 per cent of hospitals reported a reduction in infection rates after introducing these curtains, with an average reduction of around 20 per cent.

"They also support safer working practices for staff and are more sustainable. This initiative makes a meaningful contribution to improving patient safety.”

Launched across wards, clinics and theatres at hospitals in the county, the curtains are designed for practicality and safety.

The Trust said the curtains are significantly lighter than fabric and quicker to install using existing curtain tracks. It said the clear date labelling supports compliance, while rapid one‑minute change‑outs enable timely replacement.

Dr Mike Gregson, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Managed Services, said: “This Trust‑wide introduction of antimicrobial disposable curtains is a straightforward change that delivers significant benefits. It strengthens infection prevention, improves manual handling for our staff and allows clinical areas to be reset quickly and safely. I’m proud of the teams who have worked together to deliver this successfully across the Trust.”

The disposable curtains initiative forms part of wider work to reduce infection risks and ensure hospital environments remain safe and efficient.