Kings College Hospital Infection Control Study Day
Thursday 22nd April 2010 
Derek Butler presented 'A healthcare infection, a lifetime legacy' to a packed audience of clinical practioners at this important event more...

The "Energise For Excellence In Care" day took place on 30th March 2010 and was attended by over 120 delegates. Throughout the day delegates worked in facilitated groups to outline their thoughts around a series of clinical questions. The aim of the day was for participants, with their peers, to identify the contribution they make, as nurses, to the delivery of high quality patient care and to explore how this care can be measured.

Derek Butler was invited to give a patient view on what makes a good nurse, more....

 

On Sunday 21st March Alison completed the Reading Half Marathon in 2 hours 28 minutes.  This was a fantastic feat as Alison had a knee injury which happened during her training, but undeterred Alison completed the circuit. Thanks to everyone who sponsored Alison as this raised almost 1,400 pounds.    Alison did this in memory of her Aunt Alice who contracted MRSA whilst being treated for cancer and sadly died.  Alison is pictured with Alice's children Mark and Emma who are so proud of her.  We are too. Thank you Alison.   There is still an opportunity to sponsor Alison at
http://www.justgiving.com/Alison-scott

Alice when she was a young girl pictured on Alison's JustGiving page

Alice

MRSA Action UK's Annual General Meeting
took place on Saturday 13th March at the

Winsford Lifestyle Centre

MRSA Action UK's Patron Edwina Currie
was delighted to attend and met
with members and their families,  more about the event....

             Tackling Transmission of Healthcare-Associated Infections

 
 Debate in the House of Lords on March 9^th 2010

 

MRSA Action UK presented the Charity's Manifesto
in the follow up to
Review of Healthcare Associated Infections

29th October 2009

Manchester Community Health

   

 Aiming High Event - We are going to Improve Patient Safety

 

Friday 16th October 2009

 

Implementing Essential Steps to Clean Safe Care through a firm "Board to Door" commitment is a key priority for Manchester Community Health.  The reduction of avoidable harm associated with health care acquired infection remains an ongoing area for patient safety improvement.  To keep the message grounded Derek Butler of MRSA Action UK was invited to speak on the patient and carer experience of healthcare acquired infection and presented "A Healthcare Infection - A Life Time Legacy" more....

 

Bedford Hospital lead the way in promoting the first World MRSA Day

Sammie's Fund Run, 27^th September 2009

Friends Run in memory of Sammie at Westport Lake

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections Outside of Hospital Programme, Learning Workshop 2

Thursday 17^th September 2009 

Solihull NHS Care Trust

This was the second workshop with Solihull Care Trust and staff from Care Homes in the area attended by
MRSA Action UK. 

Dr Tim Dukes talked of the significant reductions in infections in the hospital setting and that there was now a job to do in care homes.  The Care Quality Commission took control of regulation of hospitals in April 2009, and from 2010 this regulation would cover Care Homes.

 

Dr Dukes said "to improve we have to measure and if you do not measure, you cannot see if you have improved".  He also said it was about having the right mindset, and gave examples of setting goals and targets and achieving them. 

 

John Reid's target had driven reductions and now everyone was talking zero tolerance to avoidable infections with the improvements that had happen.

 

Information was available on the Department of Health consultation on preventing infections in Care Homes and there were opportunities to contribute.  The new guidance will help Care Homes meet the Care Quality Commission standards on preventing avoidable infections in the Care Home setting.

 

Derek Butler presented "A Healthcare Infection - A Lifetime Legacy" showing the effects of healthcare infections on families, relatives and communities.  Staff were touched by the families, and age ranges of those who had been affected, and noted the debilitating effects on those that had survived.  Staff were fortunate to be part of the programme as they were being giving the tools and techniques to drive improvements, save lives and be ready for registration with the Care Quality Commission in 2010.   We look forward to continuing work with Care Homes.

 

National Quality Board sub-group

Meeting to discuss the development of the new MRSA objective

Wednesday 19th August

Wellington House, London

 

The Department of Health is developing a new goal for reductions in MRSA bacteraemia.  This is set out in the NHS Operating Framework for 2009/10, following the achievement of the 50% national target reduction.  As High Quality Care for All set out, once national targets are achieved they will become national minimum standards for all NHS organisations and a national standard for all patients.  The stakeholder engagement exercise to consult on the new objective ended on the 24th July.

 

Derek Butler attended the National Quality Board sub-group to evaluate the issues raised in responses from healthcare professionals and the public.  The sub-group are keen to understand the issues involved and make the right choice to drive improvement in MRSA across the NHS.  More.....

 

We believe the MRSA Objective should be zero tolerance to avoidable infections; the targets for improvement therefore need to be local and deliverable.  To read our response to the National Quality Board click here

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections
outside of Hospital Programme

Celebration of Achievements Event Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, North Tees Thursday 16th July 2009

MRSA Action UK were delighted to join colleagues who have completed the Improvement Foundation Programme with North Tees PCT. The programme of training, development and new innovative working is making a difference for people in Care Homes in North Tees. The event celebrated the achievements of the teams who have brought about evidenced improvements by designing ways of promoting good practice in Care Homes in the region. This has included work with residents in Care Homes to help them understand how they can help reduce the risk from healthcare infections too. More about the programme and workshops

MRSA Action UK

Annual Memorial Event at

Westminster Abbey

Thursday 9th July 2009

 

Remembering those that have suffered and those that have been lost to Healthcare Infections

 

 

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections
outside of Hospital Programme
Improvement Foundation Learning Workshop 1
held at South Birmingham

7^th July 2009

 

West Midlands Strategic Health Authority commissioned the Improvement Foundation to engage in the Tackling Healthcare Infections in the Community Programme.  The programme is aimed at ten care homes in the South Birmingham area.  Derek Butler was pleased to be able to attend the first workshop to present "A Healthcare Infection, A Lifetime Legacy"

Click here to read more

Improvement Foundation Programme 
Improving the Safety of Community Services 

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel National Exhibition Centre

Expert Reference Group 9th June 2009

MRSA Action UK are pleased to be working with the Improvement Foundation Expert Reference Group to improve the safety of community services for patients, building on the learning from the Safer Patient Initiative in hospitals.

The Improvement Foundation has been commissioned by the Health Foundation to run an improvement programme for Primary Care Trusts and community service providers that will expose front-line care providers to good examples of safer service provision based on the learning from the Safer Patient Initiative in hospitals. We will not only share the "what" can be done to improve safety for patients, but also help people with the "how" through training on the use of quality improvement techniques, tools for service re-design, change management and the use of measurement to track progress. Most importantly, in the context of the challenges of partnership working across different organisations, we will help participants with practical strategies for addressing the cultural behaviours of different organisations.  Click here for more....

Healthcare Associated Infections 2009: Improving cleanliness, competence and confidence Guest of Honour: Janice Stevens, Director, MRSA/Cleaner Hospitals Programme, Department of Health 2nd June 2009 London

MRSA Action UK attended Westminster Health Forum's Keynote Seminar "Healthcare Associated Infections: from hospitals to beyond an acute care setting and the future of regulation and assessment"

Timed to coincide with the launch of the National Audit Office report into Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections in Hospitals, and with the launch of the Care Quality Commission, this meeting will bring together key stakeholders with policy makers from Government and Parliament to discuss progress in tackling healthcare associated infections, the role of the Care Quality Commission, and the way forward in terms of reducing infection rates and improving public confidence.

Derek Butler gave an insight into the Charity's work with the Improvement Foundation and how this has helped to identify the important part information sharing and care planning is in relation to safeguarding residents in care homes from the risks of healthcare associated infections.  The Charity's work is ongoing with the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency advising on data quality, for ease of use by patients in choosing their hospital and treatment. The work is also aimed at assisting health practitioners and regulators in the drive for improvement in the Acute and non-Acute setting, and making good use of data to bring about change and improvement. 

MRSA Action UK has also contributed a patient-carer perspective to the review of progress in Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections in Hospitals to inform the National Audit Office findings, and welcome the launch of the progress report.  Click here for more...

 
MRSA Action UK Meeting with the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency to discuss the Publication of Information on Healthcare Associated Infections

Wednesday, 13th May 2009

 

MRSA Action UK met with the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency to look at the publication and reporting of MRSA and Clostridium difficile.  Our recently published articles on the statistics published by the Health Protection Agency have aroused significant interest in the health community.  Of specific interest to our Charity and the people who we come into contact with, whether healthcare provider or patient, is the lack of understanding surrounding the targets and claims that all is well and we are overcoming the healthcare infections that blight so many of our hospitals and other care settings, click to read more...

North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust &    North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus
	Wednesday 22nd April 2009  Forest Pines Hotel,  Broughton

 

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 stipulates "Good management and organisation are crucial to establishing high standards of infection control. The systems for the prevention and control of infections associated with healthcare are expected to address:
- leadership;
- management arrangements;
- design and maintenance of the environment and devices;
- application of evidence-based protocols and practices for both users and staff; and
- education, training, information and communication"

 

"Effective prevention and control of healthcare associated infections has to be embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently by everyone."

 

The Improvement Foundation integrated programme of support to help tackle healthcare associated infections specifically in Care Homes, complements the work already taking place locally and nationally.  The events present opportunities to discuss care pathways, multi-agency working and patient empowerment with delegates from MRSA Action UK.  For more information about the Improvement Foundation Programme download the leaflet here

 

The final workshop for the North Lincs Teams held at Broughton comprised a number of interactive sessions at which MRSA Action UK presented case studies and the use of integrated care pathways to treat and control healthcare infections. The interactive sessions also gave an opportunity to discuss patient empowerment and engagement and the NICE guidelines on  surgical site infection.  To read about the event and presentations click here

 

MRSA Action UK met the External Reference Group for the development of the new MRSA objective

21st April 2009

 

The Department of Health is developing a new goal for reductions in MRSA bacteraemia.  This is set out in the NHS Operating Framework for 2009/10, following the achievement of the 50% national target reduction.  Click here to read more....

Design Bugs Out - Patient and Public Involvement Review

The Design Council

20^th April 2009

 

MRSA Action UK were delighted to be given the opportunity to attend the review of the equipment and technologies developed to make the hospital and carers' environment simpler to clean and maintain, and to enhance the patients' environment.

 

New developments and technologies were showcased from the "Design bugs out" programme, presented by Paul Cryer and colleagues from the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.  As the name of the programme implies it is about designing technology, equipment and furnishings to help make the environment as "bug-free" as is possible.  Five winning designs came from manufacturers responsible for iconic designs such as Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class airline seats, Herman Miller chairs and Parker Pens.

 

The preview of the equipment and furniture afforded the opportunity for a panel of patients and officials from the Health Protection Agency, Department of Health and NHS to give feedback on what they thought of the designs.  This was a useful exercise as the items showcased were still in prototype form and the patient groups were particularly pleased to be able to have an input into ideas to enhance the final designs.

 

MRSA Action UK believe this will make a significant difference for patients' comfort and safety, and also make the patient environment more conducive to reducing the risks of spreading pathogens.  This meets the objectives of creating patient bedside furniture - which is easy to clean and maintain, cost effective and sustainable.  The winning designs will be unveiled officially on 28^th April, click here to read more about the programme.

 

MRSA Action UK were participants in a

Review of Healthcare Associated Infections: 
Are we doing enough?

1^st April 2009

House of Commons, Westminster

In memory of Sammie
Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Staffordshire
Tuesday 17^th March 2009

MRSA Action UK and friends paid tribute to Sammie Fallon aged 17, who died tragically last year after contracting MRSA.  Sammie was a student at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, her friend Jade Hampton contacted us as she wished to pay tribute to Sammie and help to raise awareness about MRSA so that everyone is able to understand the risks and do what they can to avoid being affected and to help others.  Other families who have been affected by MRSA will take part in the tribute and meet students from the College, and this will be an opportunity to discuss any worries or concerns.  Click here to read about the tribute.

Jade is organising a fun-run to raise funds for MRSA Action UK, this is a fitting tribute to a lovely girl and a lovely way to remember her.  The event will be held at Trentham Gardens, Newcastle-under-Lyme, at the end of July.  Anyone who is interested in taking part can contact us at info@mrsaactionuk.net

MRSA Action UK Annual General Meeting Saturday 7th March 2009

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections Outside of Hospital

Tuesday 2^nd December 2008

North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust & North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus  Click here to read about the integrated programme of multi-agency support to help tackle healthcare associated infections in Care Homes

Tuesday 18 November 2008

MRSA Action UK will attended the

First Annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day

  

Eighty years ago Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in St Mary's Hospital, London.  After eighty years, how much of the miracle remains?

  

When Alexander Fleming noticed the antibacterial properties of a fungal spore in one of his petri dishes, he changed the course of history. His discovery of penicillin in September 1928 allowed common diseases such as tuberculosis and syphilis to be treated, surgery to become less dangerous and medicine itself to become more decisive. The age of the antibiotic was born.  Penicillin has saved more lives than any other single drug, but as Fleming himself was aware, its very success sowed the seeds for future failure.

 

When he received the Nobel prize for medicine in 1945, with Howard Florey and Ernest Chain, who worked on the development of the drug, Fleming told the audience: "The time may come when penicillin can be bought by anyone in the shops. Then there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and, by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug, make them resistant."

 

How true that is today with resistant strains of  MRSA and C. difficile proving a serious public health issue, and tuberculosis on the increase, even in developed countries.

 

Self-medication with antibiotics is a problem in many European Member States - something for which a "prescription only" approach should be strictly enforced. The European Commission suggests that all countries should have guidelines on appropriate antimicrobial treatment, at least for the most common illnesses, and that information and education available to citizens on antimicrobials should be improved.

 

Health care institutions are strongly recommended to step up infection control measures to counter the spread of "super-bugs" such as MRSA.  Emergence and spread of MRSA and C.diff and other resistant bacterium, is a key driver of the problem of resistance. The importance of international cooperation on antimicrobial resistance, due to the global nature of the problem, is key to preserving the future ability to fight life-threatening infectious illnesses and to be able to perform live-saving surgery.

 

This conference was one of a number of activities that have been organised to support the Annual Awareness Day.  A poster competition for schoolchildren was featured. In addition the Department of Health launched a further public education campaign with the aim of further stressing the importance of appropriate use of antibiotics to maintain their effectiveness and reduce the risks of antibiotic resistance.
Click here for a record of the event

 
MRSA Action UK speaking at
Reducing Surgical Site Infections
Making a Difference: Consensus on Good Practice
Date: Wednesday 12^th November 2008
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester
Chaired by Professor Barry Cookson, Director of the Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, a World Health Organisation Reference Centre at the Health Protection Agency.  This conference provided an important update on reducing surgical site infection (SSI), the scale of the problem, monitoring surveillance and working towards the NICE guidelines released in October 2008

11th November 2008 MRSA Action UK Meet with the Chair of DEFRA Use of antibiotics in the  farming, veterinary and food industry

ANTT Conference University College London Hospitals Trust 27th October 2008

ANTT is widely acclaimed as best practice.  Implementation of ANTT has been shown to dramatically improve staff practice and significantly reduce hospital acquired infection rates.  The first National Conference presented important latest evidence and developments from leading NHS hospitals on the case for

Standardising and improving aseptic practice across the NHS

MRSA Action UK meeting with Members of the Health Select Committee Portcullis House, London 27th October 2008

Derek Butler, Chair of MRSA Action UK Record of  Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust's Infection Control Study Day

Wednesday 22nd October 2008

The aim of the day was for delegates to update their knowledge, skills and attitudes for the effective management of various Infection Prevention and Control issues across the healthcare setting.  Click here to read more

MRSA Action UK attended the Westinghouse Safety Forum

15th October 2008

at The Red Rose Hub, Preston

The event covered both safety in the workplace and outside the working environment.  MRSA Action UK held three breakout sessions to give information about healthcare infections.  Click here to read more

Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections outside of Hospital Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, 13th October 2008 A national initiative has been launched in the North East to Tackle Healthcare Associated Infections Outside of Hospital and 50 Care Homes have agreed to participate in the first wave of the programme.  MRSA Action UK were pleased to be involved in this worthwhile programme.

To read more about the programme click the picture

       

Bolton Primary Care Trust MRSA Awareness Session on Tuesday 30th September

 

MRSA Action UK were invited to speak at the Bolton Primary Care Trust
MRSA Awareness Session

The programme covered important aspects of Infection Prevention & Control including:

-         MRSA & Greater Manchester's Regional Perspective

-         MRSA in the Community

-         The Patient Experience

-         MRSA Screening correct technique & Deciphering Lab Results

-         Route Cause Analysis

Presentations were given to a group of 40 District Nurses from around the Greater Manchester area.  The presentations covered the patients' perspective; infection rates in the North West area and how they are being tackled; and discussions on route cause analysis and a systematic approach to reducing the incidence of MRSA.

MRSA Action UK at The Launch of Bedford NHS Hospital Trust Hand Hygiene Awareness Week 15th September 2008 Click the picture to view

MRSA Action UK at the Liberal Democrat Conference Bournemouth 14th September 2008  Click the picture to view

"Pursuing our Purpose" - Event hosted by BD Diagnostics, Oxford
 10th July 2008

 

International Care Pathways Conference
26th June 2008
MRSA Action UK - Debating a primary goal of care pathways in reducing the length of stay /improving the quality of patient care