HEALTH and Social Services committee member Karen Sinclair AM has commended Welsh hospitals as figures reveal the Principality has the lowest rates of hospital-acquired infections than any region in the UK.
Responsive action by the Welsh Assembly Government coupled with increased investment has ensured patients in Wales are less likely to acquire the headline-grabbing bug.
Karen Sinclair said: 'What is important is we send a clear message that hygiene is the secret weapon in the fight against infections. It is also important people realise the rates of MRSA are very low in Wales.
'It's vital we create a robust system of disease surveillance and prevention within our hospitals, and the work we have undertaken through the Assembly's cleaner hands campaign is sending out a clear message. Although the bug cannot be completely eliminated, the key to fighting the spread of MRSA is through hygiene.
'More than £260,000 of Assembly funding has been allocated to trusts to wipe out MRSA and other hospital acquired infections. MRSA currently only accounts for 3% of recorded infections in Wales.
'Healthcare-associated infections will never be entirely preventable but the new strategy sets out measures for the NHS which will help reduce the spread of infection.
'Controlling the spread of infection can only be achieved if all healthcare workers and hospital visitors play their part.'
