Significant reduction in healthcare infections

Healthcare associated infections have fallen significantly in the last 18 months thanks to the efforts of staff and the public, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said today.

Rates of Clostridium difficile rates have fallen dramatically by some 40 percent, while MRSA rates have dropped by around 30 percent.

Speaking during an Assembly debate today, the Minister said rates had now reached their lowest level since reporting began several years ago. He said: "Every year, over 6 million people use our healthcare facilities, including Health and Social Care staff, the many thousands of patients who receive care and treatment and the relatives and friends who come to visit them.

"At the same time, demand for hospital services is rising at unprecedented rates - up by some 9 percent this year and around 12 percent the year before. We are treating more and more people every year and our staff are stretching themselves to the limit to deal with the increasing demand for services, within the limited resources available.

"Despite the considerable pressures they face, our staff have succeeded in achieving a significant reduction in healthcare associated infections. Over the last 18 months, MRSA rates have dropped by some 30 percent while c difficile rates fell by a remarkable 40 percent.

"This is an outstanding achievement, yet instead of being applauded, unfortunately there are some who seem to prefer to criticise and demoralise our staff and undermine public confidence without acknowledging the real successes that have been achieved."

Continuing the Minister said that while the fall in infection rates was welcome, there was no room for complacency.

He said: "Since I took up my post as Minister, I have introduced a range of tough measures to drive down infections and improve standards of hospital cleanliness.

"This has included: the development of a hospital visiting policy; a dress code for healthcare staff; a regional hand hygiene programme; rapid response cleaning teams in hospitals and the rolling programme of unannounced hygiene inspections of hospitals.

"While the inspections highlighted areas of real improvement, they also pointed to areas where significant improvement is required. All Trusts have produced detailed action plans to deal with any issues which were identified and I expect these to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

"In addition, each Trust has identified a member of staff at director level who has overall responsibility for hygiene and cleanliness issues within the organisation."

Towards the end of last year, the Minister also announced further action on hospital cleanliness with the setting up a new team to drive up cleanliness standards in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

He continued: "This team, which comprises senior staff from the Department and Public Health Agency, will report to me on a monthly basis. Their role will be to ensure that there are rigorous monitoring arrangements in place to check that real and rapid improvements are being delivered.

"Cleanliness is everyone's responsibility, not just the domestic and cleaning services staff. We should never forget all those staff who are working hard to deliver clean hospitals and have achieved some outstanding successes."

Notes to Editors:

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