Free NHS Staff To Treat Patients And Infections

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Sep 2004

Liberal Democrats today called on the Government to allow frontline NHS staff to be free from political interference so that they can get on with the job of treating patients and preventing infections.

The call comes as the National Patient Safety Agency has issued guidance saying the alcohol-based rubs should be offered throughout acute hospitals in England and Wales to cut the number of hospital infections.

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"This guidance to hospitals is to be welcomed. But the efforts of this agency and of infection control staff on the frontline are being hampered because infections are not seen as a big enough priority.

"Government targets hamper the effort against infection. Patients are shunted from ward to ward and there is not enough time to clean beds properly between patients. Infection control staff are often ignored and the spread of infections continues. Ministers must get a grip on this situation and stop infections spreading.

"Frontline staff should be free from red tape and political interference so that they can get on with the job of treating patients, and preventing infections."