Hospital hit squads to tackle superbugs

Published on Tuesday 11 November 2008 08:44

Tough new inspection measures were announced by the Scottish Government today as part of the war on hospital infections.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said hit squads would make unannounced visits to check on hygiene levels at hospitals.

And she revealed traditional wards were to be phased out – with single rooms becoming the norm in new and refurbished hospitals.

Experts believe that could have a major impact on infection control.

Ms Sturgeon said more information is to be made available for patients and the public about hygiene standards in hospitals.

"It's vital that the public have confidence in the quality of care and treatment they receive in Scottish hospitals," Ms Sturgeon said today.

"That is why we are absolutely committed to tackling the problem of avoidable infections in our hospitals."

A raft of measures, backed by 54 million in funding, has already been announced by the Government, including a national pre-admission MRSA screening programme and a Clostridium difficile reference lab for Scotland to speed up diagnosis.

Ms Sturgeon today set out plans for a Care Environment Inspectorate which will make unannounced visits.

The inspections will focus on infection control practice, as well as hygiene and cleanliness standards, waste management and standards of essential equipment.

Reports will be prepared for each board, with a national overview for ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

The detail of the inspection arrangements will go out to consultation today.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed during a visit to Edinburgh's Western General hospital this morning that she is accepting the recommendations of the Scottish Government's steering group on single room provision.

"This will greatly increase the number of single rooms in Scottish hospitals which is a great step forward in both infection control and patient dignity," she said.

But Labour called for more action to tackle hospital bugs and accused Ms Sturgeon of "complacency" over recent C diff outbreaks.

The party's public health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson today called for hospital-based reporting so that people know how their local hospital is performing.

"Nicola Sturgeon has been consistently complacent about C diff and patients throughout Scotland are paying the penalty," he said.

Dr Simpson claimed that the target of a 30% reduction in C diff cases set for 2011 by Ms Sturgeon has already been achieved in Scotland which has seen a 38% cut.

"Patients in Scotland should not have to wait three years to see improvements in infection control that will still leave us lagging behind the rest of the UK," he added.

"The Scottish Government's target lacks ambition and ought to be much tougher."

But Ms Sturgeon said the figures are measured differently south of the border, but said that Scotland was already three years behind when she took over as health secretary in in terms of data collection for C diff.