NHS winning superbug battle as government action delivers results

SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris today welcomed statistics showing continued success in cutting hospital infection rates in Glasgow and across Scotland as new figures showed significant falls in deaths related to MRSA and c.difficile over the last year. New figures for the whole of 2009 show the number of deaths related to c.difficile fell by 300 and that as well as falling throughout the year, figures for MRSA related deaths show at the end of 2009 show the lowest ever figures.

This included much encouraging news for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and local hospitals. Within the Health Board area in 2009, 33 patients died with c.difficile being the underlying cause of death, a fall from 58 the previous year. The figures were also encouraging for MRSA where the figures dropped to 7 from 14. The newly published 2009 figures also show progress in relation to those who died with c.difficile  or MRSA being a contributory factor, the figures dropped to 106 from 182 and to 57 from 66 respectively.

Commenting SNP MSP Bob Doris said “The NHS is tackling hospital infections head on and we are seeing the results starting to emerge with the fall in the number of deaths from c.diff and MRSA. Of course one death is one too many and we need to monitor progress made over the medium and long term, not just over one year.

“However it would appear that SNP Government measures such as pre-admission screening, specific inspections to tackle MRSA and c.diff, ending the use of private cleaning contracts and investing nearly £40 million in tackling hospital acquired infections are starting to work. Most importantly though I want to thank health care workers on the front line for their continual efforts in terms of infection control.

“I am delighted the SNP has acted on infection  by working positively with the staff in the NHS and delivered real results.

“Labour at times have undermined efforts made to tackle infection by continually talking down the action of the NHS but today I hope we can move forward and put the future of the NHS ahead of party politics.

"Alongside falling waiting times and investment in new hospitals the SNP and NHS are delivering real improvements for patients".

Notes:

1. Data from GRO for Scotland site:

• CDiff deaths
• Diff contribute
• CDiff combined
• MRSA deaths
• MRSA Combined

2. Links to GRO for Scotland site:

• CDiff 
• MRSA