New government plans to reduce NHS infections announced

The government has announced a series of new measures designed to reduce the number of infections affecting NHS patients.

With the aim of halving the number of gram-negative bloodstream infections by 2020, the new Department of Health proposals will see more money allocated to hospitals making the most progress in reducing infection rates, with a new 45 million pound quality premium announced.

Meanwhile, independent Care Quality Commission inspections will take place that focus specifically on infection prevention, while the NHS will be publishing staff hand hygiene indicators for the first time.

Additionally, E. coli rates are to be made visible to patients and visitors on wards – as is currently the case with MRSA and C. difficile – with steps being taken to improve training and information sharing on reducing infection rates.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "These measures are intended to achieve a dramatic reduction in hospital infections, reducing enormous human pain and suffering in the process."

The plans are designed to build on progress made in infection control over the last few years, with the number of NHS MRSA cases having fallen by 57 percent since 2010, while C. difficile rates have dropped by 45 percent.

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