Specialist wanted to lead superbugs fight

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust had 25 cases of Clostridium Difficile between April last year and March – breaching its target of 24.

Now civil servants at the Department of Health have told officials they have to restrict the diarrhoea-inducing infection, known as c.diff, to just 12 a year.

The hospital currently has two special scientists who are helping an infection control team.

But recruitment for a permanent prevention nurse is under way. The trust had just one or two cases of c.diff each month but October saw a spike in the numbers.

Colin Ovington, trust director of nursing, said: "Our figures for all months were very low except for October 2012 when we had nine cases of hospital-acquired c.diff.

"After thorough investigation, it was found that no cross infection had taken place and that the strains involved were unusual ones.

"Our infection figures are improving year-on-year and we are determined to continue with these improvements.

"Our infection control team is currently working on a full report into last year's figures and we are putting into place a c.diff recovery plan to ensure we have the best chance possible of meeting our 2013/14 Department of Health target of no more than 12 cases in the year.

"Our infection control team is currently managed by an acting lead infection prevention and control nurse. We are looking to fill this position on a permanent basis in the near future.

"We currently have one permanent consultant microbiologist at the trust and one locum microbiologist. Part of the role of a consultant microbiologist is to oversee the testing of samples in the laboratory, to help support the infection control team where necessary and to review patients with particularly difficult strains of infection."

C.diff infections range from mild to severe diarrhoea to severe inflammation of the bowel. Elderly people and those with serious illnesses are at greatest risk with more than 80 per cent of infections in patients aged over 65 years.

The bacteria is usually spread on the hands of healthcare staff and visitors who come into contact with infected patients or infected surfaces.

Five wards and the Acute Medical Unit at Stafford Hospital were affected with an usual strain of the Norovirus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Visitor numbers were restricted during January and February.

Mr Ovington added: "We currently have no wards closed due to Norovirus. All of our wards have been open since March 8."