Major £9million investment in clean and safer care

Restrictions on hospital visiting and single rooms for new hospitals are among an extensive package of measures aimed at fighting ‘superbugs’ in hospitals.

Announcing the new measures, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that an additional £9million will be invested over the next three years in a bid to improve patient safety and, in particular, to reduce the spread of infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C difficile) across health trusts.

An independent review into the C difficileoutbreak in Antrim Hospital will also be carried out as soon as the current outbreak has been contained.

New initiatives aimed at tackling healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) include:

• Single rooms for new hospitals to improve hygiene and privacy and a move, where practical, to single room accommodation in future major refurbishments. The new acute hospital in Enniskillen will be the first new-build hospital to have single rooms for all appropriate patients;
• A rolling programme of unannounced hygiene inspections of all hospitals;
• Restrictions on hospital visiting – with flexibility for seriously ill patients, the elderly and children;
• The introduction of a dress code for all health care staff;
• A regional hand hygiene campaign to encourage health care staff and the visitors to wash their hands;
• MRSA screening for high risk patients;
• Additional funding to set up rapid response cleaning teams at all hospitals;
• New departmental group established to work with trusts to closely monitor performance on infection control measures;
• Quarterly publication of Trusts’ infection control performance;
• Funding for a pharmacist in each trust area to work with clinical staff to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics.

The Minister said: “Hospital acquired infections, such as MRSA and C difficile, are a major concern for the public. While we can never completely eradicate them, I expect Trusts to take every possible step to minimise the risk of infection to patients.

“My department already has a number of policies in place to tackle HCAIs including the Changing the Culture action plan and the Ward Sister’s charter which aim to reduce infection and give nurses the power to create a cleanliness culture in their wards.

“In September I announced new targets to reduce MRSA by 10% and C difficile by 20%. New leaflets for the public on hand hygiene have been distributed to hospitals; enhanced staff training on infection reduction is ongoing; and extra funding has been provided for the appointment of five new Infection Control Nurses for Trusts.

“While the levels of HCAIs in Northern Ireland are lower than in England and Wales, this does not mean we can be complacent. A great deal of work has already been done to tackle hospital infections – but I believe there is much more we can do.”

The Minister said he will be requiring all Trust Chief Executives to redouble their efforts in minimising HCAIs and to implement the new range of initiatives as quickly as possible.

He said: “Health Trusts are working hard to stop the spread of hospital infections but the public has a part to play too. Simple measures such as good hand hygiene can play a major role in reducing HCAIs. I recently launched a new visiting policy in the Southern Trust. I want all trusts to adopt similar policies and would ask the public to comply.

“Hospitals must be cleaned regularly and to high standards. As well as introducing unannounced inspections. I will invest extra money for rapid response cleaning teams to ensure that any spills or waste are cleared away quickly. The recent consultation on a dress code for health care staff is now complete and I will shortly announce the outcome.

“The public rightly expect a high level of care from the health service. It is important that no-one is anxious about coming into a hospital for treatment. I believe that the measures I have outlined today will go a long way in the battle to provide clean and safer care and help restore public confidence in our hospitals.”

Notes to Editors:

1. MRSA screening for high risk patients such as admissions to Intensive Care, Neonatal and renal units as well as for planned orthopaedic surgery and vascular grafts.
2. Antibiotics do not work on most coughs, colds and sore throats and their unnecessary use can leave the body susceptible to infections such as C difficile. The proposed new pharmacists for health trusts will have a key role in ensuring appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
3. Media queries to Clare Baxter, DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0636 or mobile 07919 400 248. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.