ACT NOW ON SUPERBUGS!
August 13, 2007 9:00 AM
West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has given a cautious welcome to new government funding and a new project at Glasgow University to tackle superbugs such as MRSA but says that the government must do more before more lives are lost.
The Health Protection Agency's recent report on superbug figures showed a 10% fall in hospital infections in England during the first quarter of 2007 but a rise in the incidence of the dangerous Clostridium difficile. In addition, deaths from superbugs in care homes have doubled.
Speaking today, Liz, who is Co-chair of the European Parliaments Intergroup on Ageing said: "The recent report was mixed in its findings but clearly shows that more action is needed. The government funding will help, but is only targeting hospitals, whilst care home residents have become the forgotten victims."
"How can it be that across Scandinavia, Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) are virtually unheard of, while in the UK nearly one in ten patients gets an infection while in hospital?"
"I am however pleased that more notice will soon be taken at a European level which may encourage the government to do more and make more use of international best practice."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
A debate on Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) is planned for the next session of the European Parliament.
On the 17th of October, Liz will co-host an event at the European Parliament which will call far more cross-border action on HCAIs.
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