NHS to spread infection reporting

Starting in January 2010, it will be compulsory for NHS hospitals to monitor and report recorded incidents of methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and e. coli infections. This is an extension of the current weekly reporting requirements for MRSA and c.difficile statistics, which the government claims enable patients to make informed decisions about where to go for treatment. Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, said: "This is part of our transparency drive across government. Making more information on the NHS available to patients and the public is the key to improving patient choice and accountability as well as better outcomes for patients." The health department said that voluntary surveillance figures show that since 2005 there has been a 37% increase in reports of e.coli infections. Although the number of MRSA infections has declined since 2004-5, there was been an increase in MSSA infections from 2000 until 2009.