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15/07/2005
Government launches tough hospital hygiene code
Hospital bosses could face losing their job for failing to tackle the problem of ‘superbugs’ such as MRSA, under strict new government hygiene proposals.
The proposals, part of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill, will include a detailed code of practice, which covers a wide range of areas.
The requirements include; the provision of systems to minimise the risk of hospital-based infections; an infection control programme; a cleaning strategy with specified cleaning procedures; the appointment of a Director of Infection Prevention and Control; education and training for all staff; and audit evidence showing that policies have been implemented and reviewed.
The new code would be monitored by the Healthcare Commission, which would be given the power to assess performance and issue improvement notices. Health Minister Jane Kennedy said: “If, in exceptional circumstances, a trust fails to act appropriately on an improvement notice then steps to ensure quick action will be taken and powers to remove whole boards or individual members will be used, where necessary.”
Ms Kennedy also said that the proposals would be extended to the private and voluntary health care sectors and to care homes.
However, the government has now rejected plans to introduce criminal charges for breaches of the new code, stating that the power to dismiss boards and individual members was “powerful enough to ensure improvement”.
Ms Kennedy said: “Many NHS trusts have already made real improvements on hygiene and infection control. We want to make good infection control and hygiene practice a statutory duty for the NHS.”
(KMcA/GB)
The proposals, part of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill, will include a detailed code of practice, which covers a wide range of areas.
The requirements include; the provision of systems to minimise the risk of hospital-based infections; an infection control programme; a cleaning strategy with specified cleaning procedures; the appointment of a Director of Infection Prevention and Control; education and training for all staff; and audit evidence showing that policies have been implemented and reviewed.
The new code would be monitored by the Healthcare Commission, which would be given the power to assess performance and issue improvement notices. Health Minister Jane Kennedy said: “If, in exceptional circumstances, a trust fails to act appropriately on an improvement notice then steps to ensure quick action will be taken and powers to remove whole boards or individual members will be used, where necessary.”
Ms Kennedy also said that the proposals would be extended to the private and voluntary health care sectors and to care homes.
However, the government has now rejected plans to introduce criminal charges for breaches of the new code, stating that the power to dismiss boards and individual members was “powerful enough to ensure improvement”.
Ms Kennedy said: “Many NHS trusts have already made real improvements on hygiene and infection control. We want to make good infection control and hygiene practice a statutory duty for the NHS.”
(KMcA/GB)
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12 November 2014
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Dentist's Patients To Be Tested For Blood-Borne Infections
More than 20,000 patients of a Nottinghamshire dentist are to be tested for blood-borne viruses. According to reports, the dentist has been suspended over a suspected breach of infection control standards. The BBC has reported that surveillance cameras were installed in the dentist's practice after a whistleblower raised concerns with authorities.
19 October 2004
Hospital cleanliness is top priority, says health secretary
The top priority for the NHS's new chief nursing officer will be to tackle hospital cleanliness, MRSA and other hospital infections, Health secretary John Reid has said. The health secretary was speaking on the day that the new Matron's Charter was launched – a "no nonsense" guide setting out how senior nurses should set hygiene standards.
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30 September 2005
Government launches online infection control training
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18 October 2007
Hospital Trusts Failing On Infection Control
Around a quarter of NHS trusts in England are failing to put adequate systems in place to tackle healthcare-associated infections.
Hospital Trusts Failing On Infection Control
Around a quarter of NHS trusts in England are failing to put adequate systems in place to tackle healthcare-associated infections.
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