Ruth Barratt

Ruth began her nursing career many years ago in Wales and has worked in hospital settings in the UK, Switzerland and Australasia.

Her interest in infection prevention started around 1995 when the UK began seeing an increase in hospital infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Since emigrating to New Zealand 23 years ago Ruth has specialised in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) nursing and remains passionate about improving the patient journey in this space.

Ruth thrives on the challenges that come with advances in technology and patient treatments, as well as novel infectious diseases.

Ruth has a number of qualifications in infection prevention and control including a Masters Degree with honours in infection prevention and control from Griffith University, Queensland.

She is also credentialed at expert level in IPC through the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control.

With a love of learning, Ruth is in her final year of her PhD at the University of Sydney, undertaking qualitative research in the field of IPC related to personal protective equipment.

Ruth has been on a number of Australasian committees and working parties as a infection prevention and control professional representative. Recently, she stepped down from the Australian Infection Control Expert Group after many years, but continues her role as a member of the New Zealand National Infection Control Expert Group.

As an active member of the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses College here in New Zealand, Ruth contributes to its online content and in its orientation programme for new IPC practitioners.

Ruth has authored several infection prevention and control journal publications – both on the patient perspective of isolation, and using video reflexive methods to improve PPE training.

She often presents on a range of IPC topics at national and international conferences, webinars, and education programmes.

Today, as a consultant, Ruth offers infection prevention and control and quality improvement services right across the country. She works closely with a number of healthcare organisations sharing infection prevention and control education, compliance auditing against relevant standards, developing infection prevention and control policies and procedures, surveillance programmes, and pandemic preparedness.