15 September 2009
New figures show that the number of MRSA cases at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals are still falling.
The latest data, published on Thursday (9 September 2009) by the Health Protection Agency, show that the Trust had eight cases of MRSA (bacteraemia) from April to June of this year. This is an improvement on the same period last year, when there were 11.
These figures follow the announcement in July that the Trust's MRSA figures for 2008/09 reached an all-time low. Furthermore, since the start of 2009, the Trust has had 14 cases of MRSA, compared to 24 during the same period in 2008 - a drop of more than 40%.
Interim Chief Executive, Peter Coles said: "We are very pleased with these latest figures, but the fight against infections is one that will continue for many years.
"Infection control continues to be the Trust's number one priority and we work hard to bring down the number of infections acquired in our hospitals 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.
"We are committed and determined to ensuring that our patients benefit from high quality care in a clean, safe hospital. However, I would remind patients and visitors that they have a vital role to play too. It is very important that they wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating."
