St George’s takes lead in fight against superbugs
ST GEORGE’S HOSPITAL in Tooting, London, has become the first to send a major party to the UK’s first ever Clean Hospitals Summit, on April 14-15.
Nine delegates from the hospital will join top NHS figures, plus those from industry and concerned public organisations, to pool ideas and knowledge to help defeat hospital acquired infections, including MRSA .
The Patients Association, with President Claire Rayner, will stage the combined conference and exhibition in The Hilton London Metropole, to establish “real and practical solutions”.
Claire, a recent sufferer of MRSA, will chair the event, with speakers including Sir Nigel Crisp, NHS Chief Executive, Lord Warner, Under Secretary of State for Health, Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, and Paul Cryer, Head of Hospitality Services, NHS Estates.
It will explore a range of issues affecting the safety of patients, including hospital cleaning; hand-washing; the use of antibiotics; decontamination issues; the physical environment of hospitals; disinfectants; sterile barriers; sharing and introducing good practice; and technologies.
Simon Williams, Patients Association Director of Policy, said:
“The event will harness Britain’s top brains in the NHS and industry to lead to positive and practical solutions, and provide a platform for people to stand up and offer their own suggestions.
“St George’s staff are clearly taking this issue seriously, and we welcome their valuable input.”
Noreen Ducat is one of six modern matrons from St George’s Hospital who will be attending the Summit. She said:
“Cleanliness and infection control are important priorities both for us and our patients.
“We look forward to attending the Summit and to meeting colleagues from other trusts and experts from around the country to share the progress we have made reducing infections and to exchange ideas for how we can reduce them further.”
