A NEW antibiotics service has been launched by a specialist nurse which means patients can receive injections at home.

The Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) team has been praised Burnley patient Peter Stephens, who was the first to use the service.

It involves the administration of intravenous antibiotics to patients suffering from a number of different conditions, but who are otherwise medically stable.

The service has been introduced by Victoria Thackeray-Scott, who has been seconded into the role of OPAT specialist nurse at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

She said: “Mr Stephens has benefitted from the service greatly as it has enabled him to continue to enjoy life at home with his wife and carry on his normal daily activities, while still receiving his treatment.

“Now up and running, the OPAT service will go from strength to strength with more patients enjoying the benefits of receiving treatment, whilst not having to remain in hospital unnecessarily.”

Victoria works closely with the consultant microbiologists and antimicrobial pharmacist at the trust to ensure the safe discharge and follow up of patients using the service.

Mr Stephens, recently discharged from Ward 28 at Burnley General Hospital, has now been receiving daily antibiotics’ at home.

He said: “Being able to receive treatment at home has been fantastic and I would certainly recommend it. All the nurses involved both within the hospital and the district nurses that visit me at home are incredible.”