Bugged By Mrsa Snub

Link: Bugged By Mrsa Snub

   HEALTH campaigners have criticised NHS bosses for ignoring technology which could help Lewisham Hospital solve its MRSA problem.

Earlier this year the hospital, in Lewisham High Street, trialled a groundbreaking technique designed to eliminate dangerous infections from its wards.

But now the Department of Health is refusing to invest in the equipment, which would cost each hospital around �100,000 a year to run, despite a thumbs-up from hospital bosses.

The technique, developed by Hampshire-based research firm Bioquell, involves emptying wards of patients, sealing all doors and windows and installing a series of machines.

The machines then pump out a mist of hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria without damaging any hospital materials.

In June, a Healthcare Commission survey revealed Lewisham was the fourth-worst hospital in the country for MRSA, with 60 recorded cases between April last year and March this year.

Lewisham Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum chairman Alan Hall said: "If the hospital says this technique works I don't understand why it can't continue to use it.