The department of infection and tropical medicine provides highly specialised inpatient and outpatient services for the assessment, investigation and treatment of a wide range of infectious diseases.
We provide treatment and support for patients with
- Tuberculosis
- Infection acquired in the UK
- Infection acquired overseas and in the tropics
- Viral illnesses
- Bacterial illnesses
Inpatient services
We look after patients on two wards at the RVI. We also provide specialist advice and support relating to infections in inpatients including at the Freeman Hospital.
Ward 19
Ward 19 is a dedicated specialist infection unit. It provides isolation facilities to allow us to safely care for patients with communicable infections.
Our high-level isolation unit, one of two in the country, is also located on ward 19. This is so we can safely care for patients with highly infectious conditions such as Ebola or Lassa fever.
Ward 5
Ward 5 is a general medical ward where we care for a broader mix of patients. This includes those with less acute conditions but who may need to stay in hospital for longer periods. A dedicated team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists support both wards.
Outpatient services
HIV
We are the region’s principal provider of treatment, care for people living with HIV. We have a large multi-disciplinary team including doctors, specialist nurses, psychologists and pharmacists.
The team works closely together to support people living with HIV along with their families or carers.
We provide regular HIV clinics in Newcastle at the RVI and at the Westgate Centre, and in North Cumbria in Carlisle and Workington.
We can support you if you are newly diagnosed with HIV, including those who may be identified through opt-out testing in the Emergency Department at the RVI.
Tuberculosis
In liaison with respiratory medicine, we provide a weekly specialist clinic for people with tuberculosis and related infections.
Specialist nurses support this clinic and patients and their families in the community.
Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C)
We provide a weekly specialist clinic at the Freeman Hospital for people with viral hepatitis infections. Specialist nurses and specialist imaging facilities (Fibroscanning) support this clinic.
Outpatient intravenous antibiotic treatment service (OPAT)
Our OPAT service supports patients who need a longer course of intravenous antibiotic treatment but who are otherwise well enough to be at home. This service is based in the Same Day Emergency Care centre at the RVI.
You can attend the hospital on a daily basis and a dedicated team of doctors and specialist nurses will support you.
Services for people with post-COVID and post-viral Chronic Fatigue syndromes
If you are diagnosed with these conditions, we can provide medical assessments and access into multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services.
We look after patients with Chronic Fatigue syndrome who live anywhere in the North East of England north of the river Tyne. We currently look after people with post-COVID syndromes who live in Newcastle.
How can I be referred into the service?
You can be referred into the service by your GP or by another hospital specialist, either in Newcastle or elsewhere in the North East or North Cumbria.
Research
If you are seen in our department, you may be offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial. These are very important to help us find the best treatments for the conditions that we treat.
We have a dedicated research team that supports trials and other studies into vaccines, antibiotic and anti-viral treatments, including for HIV, and diagnostic tests.
