Tackling methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a priority for Government and the NHS. We have set a target to halve the number of MRSA bloodstream infections by 2008 and each acute trust has its own target. The Department and its partner organisations have developed a range of mutually reinforcing activities that ensure combating the spread of MRSA is embedded in everyday procedures and policies, in particular:
all acute trusts are signed-up to the “Saving Lives” package of best practice which, if implemented in full, should combat MRSA spread in the acute sector. It is supplemented by the “Essential Steps” initiative, designed for non-acute care settings;
mandatory MRSA surveillance, which continues to be developed/enhanced;
the first ever national hand hygiene programme for hospital staff, “cleanyourhands”, has progressed to its second year;
a statutory code of practice which requires national health service bodies to have appropriate management and clinical governance systems in place to deliver effective infection control came into force on 1 October; and
advice on screening patients at risk is about to be published.
Additionally, tailored support is available for those trusts in the most challenging positions. Improvement teams will during 2006-07, work with about 50 trusts, so as to help identify those issues that prevent reduction in infections at the local level, and help them develop action plans to speed up and sustain progress.
The Department does not allocate specific funds to the NHS to tackle MRSA, as this is part of the NHS's mainstream activity. The MRSA/cleaner hospitals programme, which co-ordinates and resources actions and joint working aimed at delivering the target, including the provision of tailored support, spent £1,300,000 in 2005-06 and has been allocated £2,780,000 this year.