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05/11/2004
Reid set target to cut MRSA blood infections by half
MRSA bloodstream infections in hospitals will be cut in half by 2008, the government has pledged today.
Under the plans, NHS Acute Trusts will be tasked with achieving a year on year reduction up to and beyond March 2008.
Speaking at the Chief Nursing Officer's conference in Manchester, Health Secretary John Reid said that everyone had a role to play from hospital cleaners to senior consultants.
He added: "This is extremely challenging. All trusts will have to identify high-risk sources of infection and draw up comprehensive action plans to prevent or isolate MRSA in order to achieve this reduction.
"I do not regard this as something which is the responsibility only of one group of workers or one political party. It is naturally a challenge to us all, but at the centre of this are our hospitals and the staff who work in them. Nurses, doctors and other infection control staff will be in the front line of this drive to fight hospital infections.
The mandatory surveillance scheme for monitoring S.aureus and MRSA was introduced by the Department of Health in April 2001.
As a result of a recent initiative over one million NHS staff will receive infection control training to help in the fight against MRSA.
(gmcg/sp)
Under the plans, NHS Acute Trusts will be tasked with achieving a year on year reduction up to and beyond March 2008.
Speaking at the Chief Nursing Officer's conference in Manchester, Health Secretary John Reid said that everyone had a role to play from hospital cleaners to senior consultants.
He added: "This is extremely challenging. All trusts will have to identify high-risk sources of infection and draw up comprehensive action plans to prevent or isolate MRSA in order to achieve this reduction.
"I do not regard this as something which is the responsibility only of one group of workers or one political party. It is naturally a challenge to us all, but at the centre of this are our hospitals and the staff who work in them. Nurses, doctors and other infection control staff will be in the front line of this drive to fight hospital infections.
The mandatory surveillance scheme for monitoring S.aureus and MRSA was introduced by the Department of Health in April 2001.
As a result of a recent initiative over one million NHS staff will receive infection control training to help in the fight against MRSA.
(gmcg/sp)
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10 February 2005
UK MRSA problem caused by contagious 'clones'
The MRSA epidemic plaguing Britain's hospitals may be due to extremely transmissible contagious clones of the superbug, a scientist has claimed. Dr Mark Enright, from the University of Bath, also said that better hospital hygiene would not be enough to prevent the spread of the infection.
UK MRSA problem caused by contagious 'clones'
The MRSA epidemic plaguing Britain's hospitals may be due to extremely transmissible contagious clones of the superbug, a scientist has claimed. Dr Mark Enright, from the University of Bath, also said that better hospital hygiene would not be enough to prevent the spread of the infection.
22 March 2004
Children at greater risk of MRSA infection: report
Children in hospital are at a greater risk of succumbing to MRSA infection now than at any time in the past decade, according to a paper published in this week’s Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Children at greater risk of MRSA infection: report
Children in hospital are at a greater risk of succumbing to MRSA infection now than at any time in the past decade, according to a paper published in this week’s Archives of Disease in Childhood.
14 July 2004
War on superbugs blighted by NHS monitoring failures
The NHS has been criticised for not knowing the precise extent and cost of hospital acquired infections in an audit report published today.
War on superbugs blighted by NHS monitoring failures
The NHS has been criticised for not knowing the precise extent and cost of hospital acquired infections in an audit report published today.
04 November 2004
NHS staff to get MRSA prevention training
As part of the drive to reduce MRSA hospital infections more than one million NHS staff will receive infection control training, it has been announced today.
NHS staff to get MRSA prevention training
As part of the drive to reduce MRSA hospital infections more than one million NHS staff will receive infection control training, it has been announced today.
07 April 2005
Conservatives pledge £52 million to fight MRSA
A £52 million plan to put matrons back in charge in Britain's NHS hospitals, armed with powers to spearhead a new crackdown on the MRSA 'superbug', has been unveiled by Conservative leader Michael Howard.
Conservatives pledge £52 million to fight MRSA
A £52 million plan to put matrons back in charge in Britain's NHS hospitals, armed with powers to spearhead a new crackdown on the MRSA 'superbug', has been unveiled by Conservative leader Michael Howard.
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