Burstow demands explanation from Epsom and St Helier as figures reveal Trust is failing to halt rise in hospital infections

12.00.00am GMT Mon 5th Nov 2007

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam has written to the Chief Executive of Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, demanding immediate action after figures published by the Health Protection Agency reveal that the Trust is failing to tackle clostridium Difficile and MRSA infection rates.

The Agency's quarterly reporting results for clostridium Difficile and MRSA, show a significant rise in the number of incidents at Epsom and St Helier, despite being named the second worst trust for infection control standards in June of this year. The results show that incidents of clostridium Difficile have risen by 18% since January, while incidents of MRSA have risen by a staggering 81 % in the same time period.

Mr Burstow has written to Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust- to demand an explanation for these results and call on the Trust to improve hygiene and cleanliness standards- a major contributing factor in clostridium Difficile and MRSA hospital infection rates.

Commenting on these results, Mr Burstow said:

"These figures are deeply worrying, particularly given St.Helier Hospital's record on hospital-acquired infections.

"Cost-driven cuts in cleaning services and staffing levels are clearly a major factor, contributing to poor hygiene standards, which is in turn putting patients at risk.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Health Protection Agency's quarterly figures on healthcare Associated Infections is available online at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/Mandatory_Results.htm