SOUTHEND Hospital’s Day Assessment Unit at the hospital recently celebrated ten successful years of treating cellulitis patients at home .

This method of treatment now deals with more than 100 patients a year. It’s a service which has grown in those ten years, thanks, in no small part, to more GPs referring patients and more people being aware of it, especially as many patients have recurrent problems.

Cellulitis is an acute bacterial skin infection, which is most common and severe in older people, although it can happen at any age.

Typically it affects people with chronic swelling of the legs – hence the picture of a leg on the celebratory cake – caused by vein or lymphatic trouble.

However, it can also affect the arms, the abdomen and even the face.

Consultant in infectious disease, John Day, helped start the service, which has made a real difference for patients who previously required a week-long stay in hospital for antibiotic injections.

He said: “After starting their treatment in hospital, patients receive intravenous antibiotics in the comfort of their own home from community nurses.

“This service certainly would not have been a success without them, and without the service it would have meant people taking up vital hospital beds.

“The treatment pathway was something of a trendsetter in helping patients get the right care at home.”

Before cutting the cake, Dr Day thanked the day assessment team for its decade of dedication and flexibility.