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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Target to cut MRSA virtually hit | Target to cut MRSA virtually hit |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| There has been a big drop in MRSA infections leaving the target to halve the rate all but hit, figures show. | There has been a big drop in MRSA infections leaving the target to halve the rate all but hit, figures show. |
| Cases in England fell by 11% from January to March to 966 cases - just three away from its target. | Cases in England fell by 11% from January to March to 966 cases - just three away from its target. |
| The government has until the next quarter to hit the target set by then health secretary John Reid in 2004. | The government has until the next quarter to hit the target set by then health secretary John Reid in 2004. |
| But the Clostridium difficile rate has risen by 6% during the same period, reversing a trend of steady falls, Health Protection Agency data showed. | But the Clostridium difficile rate has risen by 6% during the same period, reversing a trend of steady falls, Health Protection Agency data showed. |
| However, compared to the same quarter last year the total of 10,586 cases represents a 32% reduction. | However, compared to the same quarter last year the total of 10,586 cases represents a 32% reduction. |
| Our strategy is clearly having an impact, with our challenging target now within touching distance Health Secretary Alan Johnson | |
| The fall in MRSA cases suggests the government has got to grips with the superbug. | The fall in MRSA cases suggests the government has got to grips with the superbug. |
| When the target was set, it was widely seen as unachievable. Even within the Department of Health, leaked documents last year showed there was serious concern it would be missed. | When the target was set, it was widely seen as unachievable. Even within the Department of Health, leaked documents last year showed there was serious concern it would be missed. |
| The government will not formally measure the target until the results of the April to June quarter are revealed in the autumn - although this has proved controversial with many expecting ministers to take the January to March period. | |
| But the drop now is being welcomed, with the target virtually hit ahead of the government's schedule. | |
| HPA infections expert Dr Georgia Duckworth said: "The substantial drop is impressive and a credit to the hard work of our colleagues in the NHS." | HPA infections expert Dr Georgia Duckworth said: "The substantial drop is impressive and a credit to the hard work of our colleagues in the NHS." |
| Achievement | |
| It also means the number of cases for 2007-8 at just over 4,438 cases is a third lower than it was the year before. | |
| Health Secretary Alan Johnson said it was a "remarkable" achievement. | |
| "Our strategy is clearly having an impact, with our challenging target now within touching distance, but this is not an issue we can be complacent about and we will continue to focus our efforts on reducing infections further." | |
| Graham Tanner, chairman of the patient group National Concern for Healthcare Infections, said the results were "good news". | |
| But he added: "It should be remembered that over the last four years over 20,000 patients have suffered an MRSA infection and in excess of 200,000 have contracted C. difficile." |