English hospitals given £60m for deep clean

22 Nov 07
Hospitals in England have been given four months and almost £60m to carry out a 'deep clean', which the government hopes will eradicate healthcare-acquired infections such as MRSA.

23 November 2007

Hospitals in England have been given four months and almost £60m to carry out a 'deep clean', which the government hopes will eradicate healthcare-acquired infections such as MRSA.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson told the Commons on November 21 that all non-foundation trusts would have to submit detailed plans to their primary care trusts and strategic health authorities. Foundation trusts would be invited to agree plans and funding with their PCTs.

The initiative, which was announced by the prime minister in October, will be monitored by the SHAs. 'Undertaking a deep clean is a key part of our strategy to improve cleanliness and ensure patients have confidence that their hospitals are safe,' Johnson said.

The allocation of £57.5m to the ten SHAs was announced together with the results of the latest inspections of hospital cleanliness. The Patient Environment and Action Team figures show that 98% of hospitals were rated 'excellent', 'good' or 'acceptable', compared with 95% in 2006.

The Department of Health added that the 2007 process was more rigorous than in 2006.

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