20 May 2005
NHS managers have hit back at suggestions that they should be held responsible for lapses in hospital hygiene that lead to higher rates of infections such as MRSA.
In the Queen's Speech on May 17, the government unveiled a health improvement and protection Bill, which is likely to include measures to hold senior managers to account for poor hygiene.
New Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt wants NHS hygiene standards to be modelled on those used in the food preparation industry, and the Healthcare Commission will check hospitals are meeting the new standards.
Although it is unlikely managers will be prosecuted if their trust fails cleanliness targets, hit squads could be sent in to sort out problems and the commission could suggest bosses lose their jobs.
NHS Confederation chief executive Dame Gill Morgan welcomed the focus on MRSA but added: 'MRSA is out in the community, brought into hospitals by millions of patients and visitors every year. Pinning blame on one individual would be virtually impossible…
'Can we please stop assuming that managers are hovering in the shadows stopping professionals from doing their jobs?'
British Medical Association chair James Johnson also expressed doubts. 'These proposals are scanty on the detail of concrete measures to reduce health care associated infections,' he said. 'The government must put up dedicated resources if patients and health care workers are to be protected.'
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