Fighting MRSA

4.26.00pm GMT Tue 7th Dec 2004

At a meeting with MP Vincent Cable, the Chief Executive and the Chair of West Middlesex University Hospital Trust set out their plans for fighting hospital infection.

Six years ago Vincent Cable was one of the first national politicians to sound the alarm about hospital infections when a Whitton resident had chemotherapy treatment at the West Mid stopped because of MRSA infection. Since then, the issue has moved to the top of the political agenda and the West Middlesex has, in the past, been officially criticised for poor cleanliness.

But Vincent Cable said that he "was greatly encouraged by progress at the hospital. MRSA cases are falling and are certainly not amongst the worst in London - though there are still too many. The hospital now has a fully staffed infection control unit designed to fight hospital acquired bugs. This is good".

"It is not a good state of affairs when we have the pre-19th century perception of hospitals that make you sick rather than cure you. But al least the problem is now recognised."

Vincent Cable also tackled the hospital about repeated complaints of poor nursing care: "unfortunately residents tell me that their experiences are very variable. Some nursing staff, mostly agency nurses, don't appear to care very much. The hospital, to their credit, acknowledges that while there are many nurses who are dedicated and professional, there have been some who are unprofessional and uncommitted. They have now improved the management structure so that there are more senior - matron level - staff and more of a permanent work force. The hospital is also planning a crèche to attract and retrain young mothers with children".