Lives would be saved and the £1bn cost of hospital acquired
infections (HAIs) cut by the introduction of higher quality cleaning
said UNISON, the UKÕs largest health union today (22 February).
The union is calling for stricter measures to prevent patients
becoming infected by requiring all hospitals to set safe minimum
staffing levels for their cleaning services.
Commenting on statistics released today by the Office of National
Statistics showing a significant rise in the number of MRSA related
deaths, UNISON Head of Health, Karen Jennings, said:
ÒThese shocking figures show that MRSA and C difficile have a
deadly grip on our NHS. Dirt is not cheap. We need to wage war
on these superbugs and cleaning and cleaners should be on the
front line as an integral part of the infection control team.
ÒNo one wants to be treated in a dirty hospital but sadly the culture
of cleaning was sold off at the same time as compulsory
competitive tendering was brought in. ItÕs time for hospitals to set
safe minimum staffing levels for their cleaning services Ð patients
and staff deserve nothing less.Ó
Ends