PATIENTS who have been in contact with dangerous chemicals will be washed off in a state-of-the-art decontamination unit at the hospital.

The mobile tent-like kit has just been installed outside the accident and emergency department and could be used for patients in contact with the potentially fatal anthrax disease.

Staff in the A&E department will have to wear special protective suits before stepping into the unit to wash patients off.

The new kit will mean staff are not put at any risk from hazardous chemicals.