HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTION

That this House recognises the trauma caused to patients and families by hospital-acquired infection such as MRSA and C Difficile; believes that there are examples the UK can learn from in other countries such as the Netherlands; recognises that this involves having sufficient beds to keep some empty and isolate infected patients from others; recognises that having medical staff travel in their work clothes also gives a risk of infection; requests that the tendency to blame patients for the spread of infection be resisted; and calls for an urgent review of whether reductions in bed numbers and planning for 100 per cent. bed occupancy and other cost saving measures are resulting in increased risk of hospital-acquired infection.