We were interested to read this week that under new Government proposals hospitals that break hygiene rules could be fined – by up to £50,000.  The hope appears to be however that fining would be the very last resort, and that in most cases the NHS Trust involved would be able to work with the Care Quality Commission to resolve the problems.  (The Care Quality Commission is a new watchdog that will replace the existing Healthcare Commission in 2009.)

 

The fact is that rates of Clostridium difficile and MRSA have already dropped significantly – by something like a third in the past year – but it is important to make sure this level of improvement is sustained.

 

We take a keen interest in all matters that affect the wellbeing of hospital patients.  This stems from the fact that we run A Friend in Need, a website sending gifts to people in hospital on behalf of friends and family who can’t visit the patient in person. 

 

Let us hope therefore that the proposed fines never need to be applied.