Call for Superbug 'Hit Team' after Ninewells Report

I was disappointed to read the recent report into hospital hygiene at Ninewells Hospital. Ninewells is in the West End ward and I am generally very impressed with the level of care that people receive there. Clearly there are problems which do need to be looked at. I support Labour's call to create superbug 'hit teams'. We should listen to the likes of Prof Hugh Pennington when he makes his views known on these matters. Please see below a news release from my colleagues Jackie Baillie MSP and Jenny Marra MSP:


Scottish Labour has today backed calls from one of Scotland’s leading infection control experts to create superbug ‘hit teams’ to ensure failing hospitals are brought into line.



The calls come as NHS Tayside were told to they must clean up their act after two reports in the space of six months criticised areas of hygiene at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.



A total of 11 required actions were highlighted following Ninewells’ inspection report, nine of which were highlighted in November but not suitably dealt with.



Professor Hugh Pennington, who is one of Scotland’s leading microbiologists, warned the events at Ninewells had demonstrated the current system “hasn't worked nearly as well as it should have” and said there was a “strong case” for new "hit teams" to ensure that inspections are properly followed up.



Professor Hugh Pennington said:



"The Ninewells report is very concerning showing that nine of the 11 requirements identified in the previous inspection have not been properly acted upon. A particular concern was the observation by the inspectors of poor hand hygiene practice in their presence.



“Whilst I welcome the fact that we now finally have a mandatory independent inspection regime in place, this report raises the question about the utility of a system that inspects but has no sanctions available to the regulator to ensure the rectification of problems.



"I think we need more than just expressions of regret from the Minister.



“There is now a strong case for some kind of 'hit team' to ensure that inspections are properly followed up and standards are complied with rather than leaving health boards to their own devices.



“This latest report has demonstrated that the system hasn't worked nearly as well as it should have in Ninewells' case at least.



"For some time now I have been making the point that inspections and inquiries are only as good as the action which is taken in response. They can be very expensive but if the system is not in place to ensure recommendations are fully acted upon it's not just money which will be wasted but possibly even lives.



“We need to get back to the situation where Scotland is again a world leader in infection prevention and control, not playing catch-up."



Backing Professor Pennington calls, Scottish Labour’s Shadow cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Jackie Baillie MSP, said:



"I would urge Nicola Sturgeon to heed Professor Pennington's advice.



“Simply asking for further assurances from NHS Tayside is not good enough.



“Both these reports came after a number of patients died at Ninewells after contracting C.diff yet there are still clearly major failings at the hospital.



“The Scottish Government needs to seriously consider the idea of following up inspections with support to ensure recommendations are properly enforced rather than simply waiting for the next inspectors' visit. If a firm is failing administrators are appointed to work with management to sort things out, so why can't we appoint experts to make sure our hospitals are clean and safe?



“At the end of the day, people have the right to expect that if they or a loved one is admitted to hospital they will be treated in clean and safe conditions, but the SNP's cuts to frontline staff are making a tough job even tougher.



“The SNP Government needs to stop passing the buck and take action."



Local Labour MSP, Jenny Marra, added:



“We cannot let the high standards of care, treatment and research at Ninewells be undermined by poor hygiene.



“The Scottish Government must act to ensure that these issues are addressed urgently.



“It is vital patients, visitors and staff have complete confidence in their local hospital so Ninewells can focus on delivering the excellence in care, treatment and research that it is so well known for.”