Hit squads could soon be making random hygiene inspections of hospitals across the north and north-east under tough new measures to tackle superbugs.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said the move was aimed at ensuring high cleanliness standards are maintained to stamp out infections like Clostridium difficile (C diff), MRSA and the winter vomiting bug norovirus.
The unannounced inspections will focus on infection control practice, hygiene and cleanliness standards, waste management and standards of essential equipment.
Reports will be prepared for each board with a national overview for ministers and the Scottish Parliament.
But angry relatives of C diff victims at Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire, where 18 people died earlier this year, accused Ms Sturgeon of “stealing” their proposals for an independent inspectorate in a bid to head off their campaign for a public inquiry.
The health secretary also announced yesterday that traditional wards were to be phased out – with single rooms becoming the norm in new and refurbished hospitals.
Leading microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington, based in Aberdeen, believes that could have a major impact on infection control.
NHS Grampian’s proposed cancer care centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Chalmers Hospital at Banff and the new hospital at Forres will be single-room facilities.
Ms Sturgeon said more information is to be made available for patients and the public about hygiene standards in hospitals.
“It’s vital that the public have confidence in the quality of care and treatment they receive in Scottish hospitals,” she said.
A raft of measures, backed by £54million in funding, has already been announced by the government, including a national pre-admission MRSA screening programme and a C diff reference lab for Scotland to speed up diagnosis.
The announcement comes after it emerged that NHS Grampian needs to carry out £200million of repairs to crumbling hospitals, clinics and medical centres to bring them up to standard.
Some £32million would have to be spent by NHS Highland to make improvements to its estate.
Prof Pennington and Scotland Patients Association chief executive Dr Jean Turner have warned patients were more likely to contract superbugs in poorly maintained buildings which are difficult to keep clean. However, Grampian and Highland health boards both say they are committed to tackling superbugs and repair work that impacts on patient safety.
Labour and the Conservatives say health boards must report outbreaks on a hospital-by-hospital basis for greater transparency.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, whose constituency includes the Vale of Leven Hospital, said she was disappointed the SNP were not making any new money available to health boards. She said the SNP’s target of a 30% reduction in C diff cases by 2011 is less than the 38% rate already achieved by the NHS in England.