04/02/2005

Goverment pledges to continue MRSA battle

Health Minister, Lord Warner, has vowed that the government will "leave no stone unturned" in the fight against the MRSA 'superbug', with the announcement of the latest findings of the Rapid Review panel.

The third wave of Rapid Review panel decisions, include advice on new equipment, materials and other products that can help NHS staff to improve hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

Commenting on the panel's decisions, Lord Warner, said: "We now know what will definitely work, what will need more testing before being used in the NHS and what has little to offer in relation to MRSA.

Lord Warner said that the panel had looked at 59 products and materials so far and identified two – a silver-coated hydrogen catheter and a barrier cream, which prevented skin damage and allergic reactions from gloves and disinfectant hand rubs – which they believed should be available to the NHS.

A further ten were identified as having "potential value". Further trials will now be conducted of the products.

The Rapid Review panel, which is made up of some of the top scientists in the UK, will meet again in a month's time to look at the next wave of products that could possibly help combat MRSA.

Health Secretary, John Reid, set a target for the NHS last November to reduce the number of MRSA bacteraemias in NHS hospitals by 2008.

(KMcA/SP)

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