Health Minister announces Clostridium difficile leaflet

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has launched an information leaflet on Clostridium difficile for patients, their families, visitors and carers.

The leaflet is one of a range of initiatives funded by the additional £9million investment in patient safety that the Minister announced in January 2008.

The Minister said: “Tackling healthcare-associated infections is one of my top priorities. We need to make sure that healthcare is as safe as possible, and we need to restore and maintain public confidence in our health service.

“This leaflet is an important part of the fight against healthcare-associated infections, for two reasons: people want this kind of information presented in an easy-to-read format; secondly, the information and advice in the leaflet will help patients, their visitors, families and carers to do the right things to help prevent the spread of infection.”

The Minister added: “This information has been written in plain English to make sure it is readable for patients, their families, friends and any member of the public. I am grateful to Age Sector Platform for testing its readability.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The information leaflet has been funded from the £9million investment announced by Minister in January 2008. Other measures announced included:

• Single rooms for new hospitals to improve privacy and hygiene;
• Unannounced inspections of all hospitals;
• Restrictions on hospital visiting;
• A dress code for all health care staff;
• A regional hand hygiene campaign;
• MRSA screening for high risk patients;
• Rapid response cleaning teams at all hospitals;
• Quarterly publication of Trusts’ infection control performance;
• Funding for a pharmacist in each Trust to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics.

2. The leaflet has been produced by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, drawing on a range of existing materials and expert advice. The leaflet has two purposes: to explain C. difficile to patients who have contracted the infection and to their visitors and carers; and by giving clear information and advice to patients and visitors, to help control the spread of infection.

3. The Department asked a voluntary body in the age sector, the Age Sector Platform, to arrange for elderly people to test the leaflet for readability.

4. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.