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Top e-government news, updated daily, and regular features from the top people in the public sector.
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| New plea to minister over islands’ MRSA superbug fears |
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Island councillors have appealed to the health minister to intervene in the running of their local health board following new concerns about the care of patients.
A leaked internal report shows the incidence of the superbug MRSA had trebled in a month since economies were introduced in January by the financially troubled NHS Western Isles. The economies included closing a ward previously used to isolate patients.
The report on the Western Isles' main hospital in Stornoway showed there were 15 cases of MRSA in March, compared to an average of five or fewer per month in the previous three years.
But it also emerged yesterday a further report conducted by John Smith, the board's medical director and based on the responses of seven out of the 14 consultants, also had worrying conclusions. Asked if any of their patients had experienced diminished standards of care and treatment as a consequence of the changes introduced in January, 71% said yes and 86% agreed they had been pressured into discharging patients.
Councillors Angus Graham and Angus McCormack wrote yesterday to Andy Kerr, the health minister: "You have made it clear you would not allow the difficulties being faced by Western Isles Health Board to affect patient services.
"This report gives clear evidence services are being affected very badly and against the advice of staff who have contended all along ward closure would have serious consequences. The difficulties faced by Western Isles Health Board cannot be dealt with in the same manner as difficulties faced elsewhere in the health service."
They also tell Mr Kerr MRSA was associated with one death in 2005. "This is very concerning and you will wish to satisfy yourself this is the only case of this nature."
A spokesman for the health board said: "The board is not adding to what it has said previously and further speculation from certain local politicians is proving to be unhelpful. The board is taking the issue seriously and its medical director and nursing director have asked national experts in infection control and MRSA to review the situation in Western Isles Hospital and provide advice to the board."
Mr Kerr has already rejected an appeal from Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, and island councillors, to intervene.
An executive spokeswoman said: "We expect every NHS health board to manage their services on budget and to take effective steps against infections such as MRSA." |
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