04/11/2004

NHS staff to get MRSA prevention training

As part of the drive to reduce MRSA hospital infections more than one million NHS staff will receive infection control training, it has been announced today.

According to the new Chief Nursing Officer Chris Beasley, all staff covered by the new NHS pay scheme 'Agenda for Change' - including nurses, porters, cleaners and healthcare assistants - must show that they are able to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections, including MRSA.

Speaking on the first day of the Chief Nursing Officer's conference in Manchester, Mr Beasley said: "Tackling hospital acquired infections is my top priority, and I have set out a number of ways to do this in the Matron's Charter, published last month. However, there is another front on which we will fight MRSA: through Agenda for Change."

Personal development plans will also give staff and managers an opportunity to identify how to raise standards of cleanliness.

(gmcg/sp)

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