Government targets hamper superbug battle

3.04.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Dec 2004

Government targets are hampering the battle against superbugs, the Liberal Democrats said today. The comments were made in response to the Government's new guidelines unveiled today telling hospital staff how to clean their wards.

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

"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.

"Ministers' promises to fly in experts from overseas is an insult to experts in this country. We have infection control nurses and doctors who know what needs to be done. The problem is that they are not being listened to.

"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."