Press release: NHS Confederation responds to HPA figures on healthcare acquired infections

17 Jul 2008

Commenting on the figures, Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said:

"These figures show that the NHS has made good progress in reducing healthcare acquired infection rates over the last year, with significant reductions in the prevalence of both MRSA and C. diff."

"There is still more to do - we need to continue to learn lessons from best practice, and when things go wrong, ensure mistakes are not repeated. The next big step in tackling healthcare inquired infection is taking some of the measures that have made an impact in hospitals and applying these in the community - in particular in nursing homes and when treating  vulnerable groups in primary care.

"This is a top priority for the health service; it is crucial that boards and staff in all healthcare settings are fully involved and take a partnership approach in tackling healthcare acquired infection effectively and consistently."

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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