MRSA In The NHS At A Record Low

MRSA bloodstream infections in the NHS have reached record low levels with fewer than 100 infections recorded in a single month for the first time, new official statistics have confirmed today. The Health Protection Agency has published the monthly data for MRSA and C.difficile for June 2011. Compared with June 2010, the statistics show: MRSA bloodstream infections have fallen from 134 to 97. This represents a 28 per cent reduction and a record low since MRSA mandatory surveillance started in 2001; 25 acute trusts have had no trust-apportioned MRSA infections between June 2010 and June 2011; and C. difficile figures have fallen from 2,001 to 1,681. This represents a 16 per cent reduction and continues the downward trend. Reacting to today’s figures, Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley said: “I have been calling for a zero-tolerance approach to avoidable healthcare associated infections since 2004. Now, just over one year into the coalition government, MRSA bloodstream infections in the NHS are at their lowest level since records began with fewer than 100 infections in a single month for the first time. What’s more, 25 trusts have been MRSA-free for more than a year, proving that with tough infection control measures we can eradicate avoidable infections from the NHS altogether.”

Six Arrested In Raid At Newton Abbot Restaurant

Six illegal workers from Bangladesh have been caught at a Newton Abbot restaurant following a raid by the UK Border Agency. Acting on intelligence, officers visited Saffron, on Queen Street. After immigration checks were carried out, it was found that six out of nine staff on site had no legal right to work in the UK. A 22-year-old man was found to have entered the UK illegally, while the other five men - aged 25, 27, 29, 30 and 32 - had stayed in the country illegally after their visas expired. The six were arrested and taken to Torquay police station for further questioning. Five are being transferred to immigration detention pending their deportation. The 32-year-old was released on immigration bail and must report weekly to a police station while arrangements are made for his removal.

Offenders Payback Society Through Conservation Work

Offenders supervised by Northumbria Probation Trust have taken on vital conservation work in a national park. The 12 offenders worked for a week at Snowdonia doing construction work with the National Trust and Charity Mobex North East. They also built dams to help re-establish the wetland, improve vegetation for wildlife and stop erosion. During the week the offenders improved their communication skills, increased their self esteem while also paying something back to society by helping with this important conservation work. Nick Hall, Acting Chief Executive for Northumbria Probation Trust said: “I am very impressed with the work the offenders completed and the impact this has had on them. I had met some of the group on a previous occasion and was amazed at the transformation in them. The conservation work has helped them to believe in themselves and realise that they can achieve other things in life without offending.” The offenders who took part in the conservation work were subject to licence supervision on release from prison and living in Approved Premises in Northumbria.

(BMcN/GK)