War on Superbugs

The government has announced a new war against hospital superbugs like E. coli.

16:43 08 November 2016

The government is preparing a new war against hospital superbugs after E. coli cases in England have increased. As part of the plan, there will be renewed focus on hand washing, a stricter inspection regime for hospitals, and the appointment of a new national infection tsar, Dr Ruth May. 

 

The E. coli infection makes up nearly two-thirds of antibiotic-resistant infections. Last year, there were 40,000 cases of E. coli in England, which represent a 20% jump in five years. 

 

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt wants hospital staff, patients and visitors to wash their hands regularly and patients with devices, such as catheters, to be given better care. He said: "Taken together, these measures are intended to achieve a dramatic reduction in hospital infections, reducing enormous human pain and suffering in the process.

 

"They will make us better at knowing when to use antibiotics and better at knowing when not to use them."

 

To encourage maximum participation, the government will provide incentives to Clinical Commissioning Groups that can reduce E. coli bloodstream infections by 10per cent and use antibiotics appropriately.