A small change making a big difference to infection control
Gloucestershire Hospitals and Gloucestershire Managed Services have completed a Trust‑wide roll‑out of Fantex IPC antimicrobial disposable privacy curtains, helping to reduce infection risk, support safer working for staff and create cleaner, more efficient clinical spaces.
The initiative replaces traditional fabric curtains with Fantex IPC disposable curtains, which are manufactured from hygienic, non‑woven polypropylene treated with Fantex antimicrobial technology. 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.
Launched across wards, clinics and theatres at our hospitals, the curtains are designed for practicality as well as clinical safety. They are significantly lighter in weight than fabric alternatives, quicker and easier to install using existing curtain tracks and offer improved manual handling benefits for staff. Clear date labelling supports compliance, while rapid one‑minute change‑outs enable timely curtain replacement with minimal disruption to patient care.
The Fantex IPC curtains are also fire retardant to BS 5867 standards, fully recyclable and eliminate the need for laundering, contributing to more sustainable service delivery alongside improved infection control.
The roll‑out has been delivered through the GMS Linen, Uniform and Laundry Service, which continues to provide reliable curtain management while working closely with infection prevention teams to support safer clinical environments.
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% of hospitals reported a reduction in infection rates after introducing these curtains, with an average reduction of around 20%.
"They also support safer working practices for staff and are more sustainable This initiative makes a meaningful contribution to improving patient safety.”
Dr Mike Gregson, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Managed Services, added:
“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 GHFT.”
The disposable curtain programme forms part of wider collaborative work between GMS and GHFT to modernise support services, reduce infection risks and ensure hospital environments remain safe, efficient and responsive.