Deadly bug cases fall at IRH

Russell Steele • Published 29 Jul 2010 14:00

CASES of the deadly MRSA and C-diff superbugs have fallen at Inverclyde Royal Hospital since last year, the Tele can reveal.

New statistics provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde show the rate of C-diff infection at the IRH, right, has dropped markedly.

Between January and March this year there were four cases, as opposed to 12 the year before -a reduction of two thirds.

There were two recorded cases of MRSA bacteraemias in the opening part of 2010, compared with three last year.

Local MSPs today welcomed the news that hospital acquired infection rates are being driven down.

Labour's Duncan McNeil said: "Every patient has the right to be treated in a clean hospital.

"I am pleased at the progress that has been made from the unacceptably high level we saw in recent years.

"The challenge now is to sustain that low level, something which is threatened by the cutbacks in hospital cleaning and nursing staff by the Scottish Government.

"Other health boards have been allowed to cut cleaning by as much as 500 hours and we cannot allow a similar reduction at Inverclyde Royal."

The SNP's Stuart McMillan said: "I am delighted the work under way to improve upon infection rates is working.

"Every credit must go to the staff involved, the health board, and the Scottish Government for providing additional investment.

"This is a continual fight but the figures are very positive and, hopefully, the trend will continue."

Lib Dem Ross Finnie said: "With the high-profile given to bringing C-diff rates down and reducing the incidence of MRSA, I would expect all hospitals to be giving this top priority.

"It is very encouraging that the figures show there has been a substantial improvement and credit goes to all the staff at the hospital for bringing this about."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 29 Jul 10

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