Local Health Performance indicators published - concern over superbug threat

2.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 18th Oct 2007

111 out of 394 bodies providing NHS care are failing to tackle infection control properly, including 44 of the 172 hospital trusts, the Healthcare Commission's annual report reveals. The general picture in the annual health check of England's trusts is, however, one of improvement. But regional divides persist, with the north performing better than the south. Trusts were rated on two principal categories: quality of services and how they had managed their finances. You can find out how your local healthcare providers are doing by clicking here, or you can download a directory of performance ratings for all NHS Trusts in PDF form by clicking here.

This report shows that many hospitals are still not protecting patients from the threat of superbugs. Hospitals are too often forced to prioritise meeting targets over essential basics such as good hygiene. The report also shows that we are still not out of the woods with financial problems in the NHS.