New drive to tackle superbugs like MRSA

Hospitals will have to display infection rates as part of a new drive to tackle superbugs like MRSA.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "Cleanliness remains a major patient concern and MRSA is a growing problem. My approach is to be open about this."

The measures to cut the level of infections acquired in hospitals include plans to:

Fly in experts from countries with low MRSA rates to advise the NHS on improving infection control

• Publish each hospital's infection rates and trends
• Give staff at ward level the tools to make cleanliness a top priority
• Put quality ahead of cost on hospital cleaning contracts
• Hold a summit of leading experts to advise on research into hospital infections
• John Reid said that as patients will have a choice of hospitals by the end of next year, hospital infection rates could affect their decision.

"In hospital I want NHS patients to demand the highest standards of hygiene and - since human contact is a major way infection spreads in hospital - to feel happy to ask staff if they've washed their hands."

Full details of the action the NHS and the Department of Health will take are set out in 'Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection'.