HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTION

Early day motion 135, tabled 7 November 2007 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 26 members.

That this House recognises the trauma caused to patients and families by hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA and C difficile; believes that there are examples the United Kingdom can learn from in other countries such as the Netherlands; recognises that this involves having sufficient beds to keep some empty and isolate infected patients from others; recognises that having medical staff travel in their work clothes also gives a risk of infection; requests that the tendency to blame patients for the spread of infection be resisted; and calls for an urgent review of whether reductions in bed numbers and planning for over 70 per cent. bed occupancy and other cost-saving measures are resulting in increased risk of hospital-acquired infection.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 10, Labour 8, Conservative 4, Independent 2, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.