Infection Control Training for More Than One Million NHS Staff

LONDON -- More than one million National Health Service (NHS) staff will receive infection control training to help in the fight against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the new Chief Nursing Officer Chris Beasley announced today. All staff covered by the new NHS pay scheme Agenda for Change -- including nurses, porters, cleaners and healthcare assistants -- must show that they are able to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections, including MRSA.

Chris Beasley said:

"Tackling hospital acquired infections is my top priority, and I have set out a number of ways to do this in the Matron's Charter, published last month. However, there is another front on which we will fight MRSA: through Agenda for Change. The proposed new Knowledge and Skills Framework -- a key part of the Agenda for Change package -- will help staff to recognize how they can play a part in maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the NHS."

"All staff covered by Agenda for Change, whether nurses, healthcare assistants, porters or cleaners, must show that they can develop and apply the appropriate knowledge and skills to reduce the risks of healthcare associated infections. Personal development plans will give staff and managers an opportunity to identify how to raise standards of cleanliness," Beasley continued.

Chris Beasley was speaking on the first day of the Chief Nursing Officer's conference, held Wednesday to Friday this week in Manchester.

Source: UK Department of Health