9 November 2009
New figures published on Wednesday (4 November) show that cases of MRSA bacteraemia and C. difficile at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals are still falling.
The latest data, published by the Health Protection Agency, shows that the Trust had three MRSA bacteraemia cases in September, bringing the total number from April to September to 16: an improvement on the same period in 2008, when that figure was 19.
These figures follow the announcement in July that the Trust's MRSA figures for the financial year 2008-09 were its lowest since records began - down by over 40 per cent compared to the previous year.
In addition, the new figures show a reduction of almost 10 per cent in cases of C. difficile. There were 66 cases between April and September this year, compared to 73 in the same period last year.
Chief Executive Samantha Jones said: "We are determined that our patients receive the best possible care in clean, safe hospitals. Protecting our patients against healthcare acquired infections is our number one priority so it's rewarding to see the numbers of cases still falling.
"But I'd like to reassure our patients, visitors and local people that we will never become complacent. In fact, we continue to work round the clock to keep cases of MRSA and C. difficile to an absolute minimum.
"We have put in place a raft of tough measures to cut the number of infections, including extending our MRSA screening programme so that we can detect and treat it quicker.
"I would also like to remind patients and visitors that they have a vital role to play too. They can join us in our fight against infections by washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating, and by using the alcohol rub at the entrances to our wards and clinical areas."
