Recruitment plans for extra infection control staff

New stringent requirements outlined in the Government’s strategy to tackle healthcare associated infections also mean that NHS Foundation Trust applications will not be supported by the Secretary of State unless Trusts are consistently hitting local targets on both MRSA and C. difficile.

“Clean, safe care” draws together current initiatives and details new areas where the NHS should invest the extra funding of £270 m per year by 2010/11 to support infection control and cleanliness in the NHS. This funding will allow local organisations to invest up to £45 m on additional specialist staff, who play a crucial role in cleanliness and infection prevention and control.

Anew nationwide campaign is also being launched to highlight the fact that inappropriate use of antibiotics can increase the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of infections and prudent prescribing is required.