FABIANI HAILS MASSIVE DROP IN LANARKSHIRE C.DIFF CASES

Linda Fabiani MSP has congratulated staff in NHS Lanarkshire on their efforts to reduce hospital infections, after latest Scottish Government figures showed that C. Difficile infection rates in the area have dropped significantly since the SNP came to power.

In the quarter January-March 2007, just before the SNP were elected, 226 people over the age of 65 were infected with C. Difficile in NHS Lanarkshire hospitals. Between July and September 2009, that figure had dropped to just 61 infections.

SNP MSP for Central Scotland Ms Fabiani said:

“This dramatic drop in the number of C. Difficile cases is testament both to the hard work of frontline staff in NHS Lanarkshire and to the intense focus that the SNP government has placed on eradicating infections in our hospitals.

“To reduce infection rates to almost a quarter of the rate it was less than three years ago is a significant achievement.

“The key steps taken by the Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, including investment in tackling HAI’s, bringing cleaning back into the public sector and establishing the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, are paying off and making hospitals safer for patients.

“Of course, every case is a concern and there is always more to be done to bring the number of infections down further still, but I know that NHS Lanarkshire staff will continue the efforts that have produced such good results so far.”