HARROGATE Hospital has received £200,000 as part of a £5m Government boost aimed at protecting patients, staff and visitors from infections, such as MRSA, associated with health care.
An infection control team working with colleagues at the hospital, run by Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust, has drawn up plans for a range of schemes to promote good hand hygiene.
They include a new DNA screening programme to identify patients with MRSA, link nurses to lead infection control work, the introduction of new ward hygiene assistants working on medical equipment and a new hand hygiene initiative.
Professor Kevin Kerr, director of infection prevention and control, said: "Harrogate has a sound track record in tackling health care-associated infections, but we must ensure that we do not rest on our laurels."
Similar developments, focusing mainly on community hospitals, are planned by North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust,
The York trust has already been awarded £175,000 from the national fund.
Director of operations Janet Probert said: "We have always worked to prevent patients from suffering infections, but this funding will help us to build on the good work already in place."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article