04/02/2005
Goverment pledges to continue MRSA battle
Health Minister, Lord Warner, has vowed that the government will "leave no stone unturned" in the fight against the MRSA 'superbug', with the announcement of the latest findings of the Rapid Review panel.
The third wave of Rapid Review panel decisions, include advice on new equipment, materials and other products that can help NHS staff to improve hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.
Commenting on the panel's decisions, Lord Warner, said: "We now know what will definitely work, what will need more testing before being used in the NHS and what has little to offer in relation to MRSA.
Lord Warner said that the panel had looked at 59 products and materials so far and identified two – a silver-coated hydrogen catheter and a barrier cream, which prevented skin damage and allergic reactions from gloves and disinfectant hand rubs – which they believed should be available to the NHS.
A further ten were identified as having "potential value". Further trials will now be conducted of the products.
The Rapid Review panel, which is made up of some of the top scientists in the UK, will meet again in a month's time to look at the next wave of products that could possibly help combat MRSA.
Health Secretary, John Reid, set a target for the NHS last November to reduce the number of MRSA bacteraemias in NHS hospitals by 2008.
(KMcA/SP)
The third wave of Rapid Review panel decisions, include advice on new equipment, materials and other products that can help NHS staff to improve hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.
Commenting on the panel's decisions, Lord Warner, said: "We now know what will definitely work, what will need more testing before being used in the NHS and what has little to offer in relation to MRSA.
Lord Warner said that the panel had looked at 59 products and materials so far and identified two – a silver-coated hydrogen catheter and a barrier cream, which prevented skin damage and allergic reactions from gloves and disinfectant hand rubs – which they believed should be available to the NHS.
A further ten were identified as having "potential value". Further trials will now be conducted of the products.
The Rapid Review panel, which is made up of some of the top scientists in the UK, will meet again in a month's time to look at the next wave of products that could possibly help combat MRSA.
Health Secretary, John Reid, set a target for the NHS last November to reduce the number of MRSA bacteraemias in NHS hospitals by 2008.
(KMcA/SP)
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22 March 2004
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Children in hospital are at a greater risk of succumbing to MRSA infection now than at any time in the past decade, according to a paper published in this week’s Archives of Disease in Childhood.
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26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
10 February 2005
UK MRSA problem caused by contagious 'clones'
The MRSA epidemic plaguing Britain's hospitals may be due to extremely transmissible contagious clones of the superbug, a scientist has claimed. Dr Mark Enright, from the University of Bath, also said that better hospital hygiene would not be enough to prevent the spread of the infection.
UK MRSA problem caused by contagious 'clones'
The MRSA epidemic plaguing Britain's hospitals may be due to extremely transmissible contagious clones of the superbug, a scientist has claimed. Dr Mark Enright, from the University of Bath, also said that better hospital hygiene would not be enough to prevent the spread of the infection.
07 March 2005
MRSA cases 'lowest ever recorded'
MRSA infection rates are at their lowest since recording began, Health Secretary John Reid has announced. The Health Secretary welcomed the figures, published by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), but he admitted that there was "still much more to do".
MRSA cases 'lowest ever recorded'
MRSA infection rates are at their lowest since recording began, Health Secretary John Reid has announced. The Health Secretary welcomed the figures, published by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), but he admitted that there was "still much more to do".
04 November 2004
NHS staff to get MRSA prevention training
As part of the drive to reduce MRSA hospital infections more than one million NHS staff will receive infection control training, it has been announced today.
NHS staff to get MRSA prevention training
As part of the drive to reduce MRSA hospital infections more than one million NHS staff will receive infection control training, it has been announced today.