2 July 2009
New figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show that the number of cases of MRSA (bacteraemia) at the Trust's three hospitals during 2008/09 are the lowest since records began.
The new data also shows the Trust recorded six cases of MRSA between January and March 2009, compared with nine the previous quarter.
The figure is the second-lowest the Trust has ever recorded for a three month period, and represents a cut of over 50 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2008 (13 cases).
The strong ending to the financial year helped the Trust achieve a dramatic cut in the annual number of MRSA cases, which was down over 40 per cent on 2007/08 (60) and is the lowest figure it has ever recorded since the HPA started monitoring cases in 2001.
Interim Chief Executive Peter Coles said: "Infection control and prevention is our top priority. We have put tough measures in place on the ground, including launching a hard-hitting awareness campaign to remind patients, visitors and staff of the importance of good hand hygiene.
"We are delighted with the new figures, but there is no room for complacency - we will continue to do all we can to keep the number of infections at the absolute minimum possible."
The Trust has a specialist infection control and prevention team and has recently committed to continuing the deep cleaning of its hospitals, at a cost of £300,000 per year.
For more information about the Trust's fight against healthcare acquired infections, including the new awareness campaign, visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/infectioncontrol
