Wednesday 24 October 2007

Watchdog told to target superbugs

Full Story:
http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/News_0469.htm
A new health watchdog is to be set up by the government with wide-ranging powers to tackle hospital bugs. It comes as ministers struggle to meet a target for next year of cutting MRSA and are grappling with rising rates of Clostridium difficile. The Care Quality Commission will have the power to close wards and order more frequent checks. It replaces the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Healthcare Commission and Mental Health Act Commission. The watchdog will focus on safety and quality across health and adult social care services, in both the NHS and the independent sector. In particular it will be able to close services that are unsafe, or where there is some other serious breach which is putting patients at risk. But it will also be able to hand out fines, launch investigations and issue warnings where necessary. Many of the powers are already available to the existing regulators, but ministers hope tougher action will be taken by merging the responsibilities into one body. The Care Quality Commission will also have an important role in supporting patient choice, through assessing and providing information on the performance of providers of adult social care and health care, and in ensuring value for taxpayers' money. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the emphasis reflects the fact tackling infection remains "a challenge". "I am determined that we will take action where necessary to safeguard patients and ensure staff feel able to report concerns."

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