NHS Trusts are urged to remain vigilant and strive for further improvement

The Care Quality Commission has commended the majority of NHS trusts for improving infection control. It pointed out that infection rates are falling and that many hospitals are continuing to strengthen systems for protecting patients. However, it urged all 388 trusts to remain vigilant, ensure they complete planned programmes of improvement, and regularly review their performance.

In the latest measure to drive improvement, it registered for the first time 388 NHS trusts to provide care after carrying out an assessment of whether they meet government regulations for managing infection.

To carry out the assessment, it asked that trusts declare whether they were compliant with the regulations and cross-checked this with other performance information, including patient and staff surveys, findings from the Healthcare Commission's hygiene inspections, trusts' declarations against core standards for infection control, and rates of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection.

While CQC registered all trusts, it made registration of 21 trusts subject to conditions, which are legally enforceable and must be met within agreed timescales or enforcement action will follow.

The CQC pledged to check vigorously ongoing compliance with the registration requirements. It is planning to inspect over the next year up to half of all NHS trusts providing acute, primary care, mental health and ambulance services.

The health and social care regulator reminded trusts that it has a new range of strong powers, including issuing warning notices, fines, prosecution or even forcing closure in extreme circumstances.