"NEW HOSPITAL SUPERBUG INFECTIONS RISE BY 20% IN LONDON" - POPE

11.40.14am GMT Mon 22nd Jan 2007

New research carried out by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats revealed today that the number of infections in people over the age of 65 in London caused by hospital superbug Clostridium Difficile have risen by over 20% in the last year, from 6065 to 7358.

The research also showed that cases of MRSA in London have only reduced by 5%, from 1392 to 1320. This follows a leaked memo from the Department of Health earlier this month showing that targets for reduction of MRSA might never be reached and that C.Difficile is now endemic in most UK hospitals. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to C.Difficile.

Over 6,000 people in England and Wales died from complications linked to C.Difficile in 2003/04.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesman on the London Assembly, Geoff Pope, said:

"These startling figures show that Londoners are facing an increased risk of catching a hospital superbug. Huge NHS deficits and crippling government targets mean hospitals are having to take tough decisions like cutting beds, which is bad news for tackling superbugs that thrive in cramped environments.

'Isolation wards are the only way to treat affected patients. Recent reductions in nursing levels are also exacerbating the problem. Although the government is the chief culprit, hospitals should also ensure they step up their cleanliness and equipment decontamination procedures. Basic hygiene training cannot be over-emphasised." ENDS

Notes to the Editors

1. Figures obtained by parliamentary answer:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile have been reported in each hospital located within the Greater London area in each year since 2000. [116077]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The information requested has been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Health Protection Agencies website at:

www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/mandatory_report_2006.htm

For methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the annual data relates to the period from April 2001, and for Clostridium Difficile, (patients aged 65 and over), for the period from January 2004

Cases of MRSA:

Hospital Name Reported Cases April 04-March 05 Reported Cases April 05-March 06

Barking, Havering, Redbridge 98 69

Barnet and Chase Farm 102 78

Barts and The London 64 67

Bromley Hospitals 16 25

Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare 47 28

Ealing 26 39

Epsom and St Helier University Hospital 58 45

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children 7 6

Guys and St Thomas' 102 80

Hammersmith Hospitals 81 69

Hillingdon Hospital 30 24

Hommerton University Hospital 5 20

King's College Hospital 64 99

Kingston Hosptial 52 57

Lewisham Hospital 60 31

MayDay Healthcare 40 48

Moorefield's Eye Hospital 0 0

Newham University Hospital 17 18

North Middlesex Hospital 29 39

Northwest London Hospitals 54 56

Queen Elizabeth Hospital 41 23

Queen Mary's Sidcup 41 23

Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital 7 4

Royal Free Hampstead 69 93

Royal National Orthopaedic 5 3

St George's Healthcare 63 62

St Mary's 48 67

Royal Marsden 1 2

UCL 63 68

West Middlesex University 30 27

Whipps Cross University Hospital 48 16

Whittington Hospital 24 34

Total number of cases 1392 1320

Cases of Clostridium Difficile:

Hospital Name Reported Cases January to December 2004 Reported Cases January to December 2005

Barking, Havering, Redbridge 648 927

Barnet and Chase Farm 514 692

Barts and The London N/A 183

Bromley Hospitals 169 275

Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare 117 97

Ealing 218 210

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals 366 551

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children 0 0

Guys and St Thomas' 140 141

Hammersmith Hospitals 323 317

Hillingdon Hospital 219 140

Hommerton University Hospital 50 153

King's College Hospital 236 177

Kingston Hosptial 227 363

Lewisham Hospital 301 321

MayDay Healthcare 125 161

Moorefield's Eye Hospital 0 0

Newham University Hospital N/A 93

North Middlesex Hospital 81 185

Northwest London Hospitals 438 361

Queen Elizabeth Hospital 206 262

Queen Mary's Sidcup 160 251

Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital 25 21

Royal Free Hampstead 133 107

Royal National Orthopaedic 5 1

St George's Healthcare 484 386

St Mary's 219 172

Royal Marsden 29 30

UCL 89 77

West Middlesex University 201 212

Whipps Cross University Hospital 271 318

Whittington Hospital 71 174

6065 7358

Note: Clostridium data is recorded only for patients 65 and over