NHS bodies ‘failing to meet superbug standards’

A quarter of NHS bodies are failing to meet basic standards of infection control which are designed to combat superbugs like MRSA, according to the Healthcare Commission.

England’s health watchdog’s annual review of NHS performance found rates of MRSA infection are falling after a peak in 2003 and 2004.

However, the fall is less than planned in many hospital trusts, according to the findings.

A total of 114 of England’s 391 trusts failed to meet at least one of the body’s three core standards which relate to infection control, reflecting a rise from 111 in 2007.

In addition, 40 per cent of NHS trusts were complying with all three of the standards in addition to meeting their target for the reduction of MRSA.

Chairman of the commission Sir Ian Kennedy commented: “Some trusts are still not doing all that’s necessary to sustain the drop in rates of infection.

“It’s very satisfying to see MRSA rates falling overall but the challenge posed by these infections remains.”

As of next year, every NHS trust must show that it is in compliance with infection control requirements in order to be registered with the new Care Quality Commission, which is due to replace the Healthcare Commission, Reuters reports.