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| NHS 'hygiene standards struggle' | NHS 'hygiene standards struggle' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| NHS trusts are struggling to meet key hygiene standards, according to data submitted to the NHS watchdog. | NHS trusts are struggling to meet key hygiene standards, according to data submitted to the NHS watchdog. |
| One in four trusts have reported they are not complying with one of the three standards relating to the hygiene code, covering areas such as cleanliness. | One in four trusts have reported they are not complying with one of the three standards relating to the hygiene code, covering areas such as cleanliness. |
| But the Healthcare Commission said the evidence showed 40% of the 394 trusts in England were meeting all 24 core NHS standards - a rise from 34% last year. | But the Healthcare Commission said the evidence showed 40% of the 394 trusts in England were meeting all 24 core NHS standards - a rise from 34% last year. |
| The standards cover everything from clinical effectiveness to governance. | The standards cover everything from clinical effectiveness to governance. |
| Trusts self-declare how they are doing against the core standards, which then help determine their overall NHS rating. | Trusts self-declare how they are doing against the core standards, which then help determine their overall NHS rating. |
| There has to be a cultural change within hospitals Norman Lamb, Lib Dem | There has to be a cultural change within hospitals Norman Lamb, Lib Dem |
| The Healthcare Commission now has to verify the data by cross-checking the information against its own intelligence, audits and surveys by other organisations and through a system of targeted spot-checks. | The Healthcare Commission now has to verify the data by cross-checking the information against its own intelligence, audits and surveys by other organisations and through a system of targeted spot-checks. |
| The rise in trusts reporting full compliance was also accompanied by a rise, from 74% to 85%, in those saying they are meeting 90% of the standards. | The rise in trusts reporting full compliance was also accompanied by a rise, from 74% to 85%, in those saying they are meeting 90% of the standards. |
| Trusts did best in meeting standards covering professional codes of practice, whistle-blowing and openness. | Trusts did best in meeting standards covering professional codes of practice, whistle-blowing and openness. |
| There was also a rise in the number of trusts reporting they met the two standards relating to compliance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which issues advice on new treatments. | There was also a rise in the number of trusts reporting they met the two standards relating to compliance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which issues advice on new treatments. |
| But with the three standards that relate to hygiene, compliance had fallen. | But with the three standards that relate to hygiene, compliance had fallen. |
| In particular, on reducing the risk of infection, 14% said they had failed, up from 7% last year. | In particular, on reducing the risk of infection, 14% said they had failed, up from 7% last year. |
| Cleanliness | Cleanliness |
| A similar number said they could not say they decontaminated equipment properly - up from 12.6%. | A similar number said they could not say they decontaminated equipment properly - up from 12.6%. |
| Over one in 10 did not meet cleanliness standards either. | Over one in 10 did not meet cleanliness standards either. |
| It meant that 99 trusts - one in four of the total - were not meeting the hygiene code. | It meant that 99 trusts - one in four of the total - were not meeting the hygiene code. |
| A spokesman for Patient Concern said: "This is terrible. It is bad news for patients and shows trusts are not getting the basics right. | |
| "Trusts are too worried about hitting targets than making sure patients are cared for properly." | "Trusts are too worried about hitting targets than making sure patients are cared for properly." |
| Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "By recognising in an open and honest way that they need to do more, trusts are taking the important steps towards delivering excellence for patients." | Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "By recognising in an open and honest way that they need to do more, trusts are taking the important steps towards delivering excellence for patients." |
| But Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "There has to be a cultural change within hospitals. Three-quarters of hospitals are successfully implementing effective measures - there is no excuse for others not to follow." | But Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "There has to be a cultural change within hospitals. Three-quarters of hospitals are successfully implementing effective measures - there is no excuse for others not to follow." |
| Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley added: "The one in four yet to meet the code need to realise that it is an imperative not an option." | Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley added: "The one in four yet to meet the code need to realise that it is an imperative not an option." |