C.difficile Prevention Plans On Way

A renewed emphasis has been placed on NHS staff to combat hospital bug C.difficile.

This follows the NHS' success in reducing C.difficile infections across the country, with figures dropping by 35% since 2007 – exceeding the national target of 30% by 2010-11.

The new C.difficile objective will help to reduce variation and could deliver a further national reduction of around 55% over the next three years, the Government says.

The objective will require organisations with the highest rates of infection to make the biggest reductions and challenge the best performers to sustain their low rates and strive for further improvements.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said that five years ago, the NHS was facing a "big challenge" in bringing down infection.

"Following a huge concerted effect from people at all levels, I’m proud of the success our NHS has achieved in bringing down the number of C.difficile infections so far," he said.

"But we want to go even further – patients have a right to clean, safe care wherever they are treated in the NHS and these improvements must continue.

"The C.difficile objective is ambitious but realistic. It will focus improvements on those NHS organisations that need to make the most progress – no individual trust will be required to deliver reductions that a similar organisation has not already achieved."

Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery for the Royal College of Nursing, said nurses have been involved in setting standards for infection prevention and control.

"The hard work of nurses and healthcare assistants has already made a difference in reducing the spread of infections, and patients should be confident that wherever they receive healthcare, every effort is made to keep them safe."

Graziella Kontkowski, founder of C Diff Support said the infection is extremely distressing for patients and their families.

"I believe we are now moving in the right direction in combating C.difficile infections and this new objective will hopefully reduce infections even further."

The new objective will come into force from April 2011.

(PR/BMcC)