Sally Varah, the High Sheriff of Surrey came under pressure when she paid a visit to Epsom General Hospital to open a special room which cost almost £250,000.
The high pressure room means that patients with severe respiratory illnesses, such as tuberculosis (TB) can be isolated from other people, preventing it from spreading to other patients.
The High Sheriff met volunteers from the Friends of Epsom General and West Park Hospitals, who paid for half the room’s £240,000 price tag.
The remainder was funded by the trust’s capital investment programme.
Maria Paterson is the matron with responsibility for the room.
She said: “The room is a fantastic resource and will allow us to treat people who have contracted illnesses like TB.
"Previously, they would have to be transferred to other hospitals, many of them far away.
"This is not nice for the patients and makes it very difficult for friends and family who want to visit.”
The room has a pressurised lobby area with a double door which ensures that germs do not get out.
As well as TB, it will be used to help treat patients with viral pneumonia due to chicken pox or measles.
It is estimated the room will be used to treat approximately 12 cases of TB a year, in addition to other illnesses.
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