Speaking after an Assembly debate into C Difficile, the Minister said that it was crucial that the health service was able to take immediate action to tackle healthcare infections.
He said: “The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority review will be comprehensive and timely. Its team comprises leading experts in infection control from across the UK and has all the powers it needs to properly investigate the current outbreak in the Northern Trust. It has already started its work and is now examining actions taken by other trusts to prevent possible future outbreaks and ensure their infection control processes are robust.
“The motion calls for a time-bound inquiry. This review will report its findings back to me in 12 weeks, by the end of May. I doubt whether any public inquiry could report back in 12 months. As Minister I can set a target for completion but experience would suggest that an extension is often sought and granted.
“I have never ruled out a public inquiry and I have said I am minded to hold one after the independent review reports back to me. However, time is critical and my first priority is to ensure the current outbreak is contained and any lessons are learned and shared across the health service as quickly as possible.
“I am also sure that no-one would want to detract staff from their essential work in trying to reduce and control infections. To do so would detract from the paramount priority which is patient safety.”
Northern Ireland was not unique in trying to deal with the challenge of infections such as MRSA and C Diff, he said: “Only last week we saw the headlines about a dramatic rise by over 70% in deaths from C Difficile in England and Wales. While Northern Ireland with a rate of 5.5% has the lowest rate of healthcare associated infections in the UK – that does not mean we can be complacent.
“I am committed to tackling so-called ‘superbugs’. However, we must remember that while they can never be fully eradicated we can take action to reduce them.
“I have invested £9million in a range of measures to reduce infections including: rapid response cleaning times; a new dress policy for staff and unannounced inspections. I have set targets to reduce cases of C Difficile by 20% and MRSA by 10% be end of March 2009. Only yesterday I announced the outcome of an environmental cleanliness audit which showed a significant improvement in standards across the majority of hospitals.
“Tackling healthcare infections is everyone’s responsibility – patients, the public and staff – we all have a part to play. For my part, I will continue to take every action to ensure the prevention, early detection and reduction of these infections and to ensure that clean and safer care is the guiding principle for our health service.”
Notes to Editors:
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