NHS Making real progress on infection control

Commenting on the spot check survey from the Healthcare Commission, Nigel Edwards, policy director of the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95% of NHS organisations, said:

"We support the conclusion of the Healthcare Commission's report that the NHS has made real progress in tackling hospital 'superbugs'. MRSA rates have halved and we are making inroads into C. Difficile.

"The hygiene code is part of a tough programme of continuous improvement in tackling 'superbugs' and some trusts clearly need to make further progress but the overall picture is one of improvement on MRSA and C. Diff. The annual health check deals with these issues more comprehensively and this survey can only provide a snapshot.

"NHS organisations have worked hard to develop not only the systems but also the culture of their organisations to tackle infections