Every hospital trust in England will be able to recruit two infection control nurses, two isolation nurses and an antimicrobial pharmacist with millions of pounds of extra investment for infection control in the NHS, Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced.
“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.
