Government announces infection committee membership

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the membership of a new committee on infection and antimicrobial resistance which will give the government advice on two interconnected policy areas – that of healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance.

Consisting of a number of leading healthcare professionals and scientists, the advisory committee on antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infection will offer its expertise on both current and emerging trends in this area.

It will investigate potential long-term measures for the reduction of both infections and antimicrobial resistance, seeking greater integration of these areas.

“The terms of reference of the committee are to provide practical and scientific advice to the government on strategies to minimise the incidence of healthcare associated infections and to maintain the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in the treatment and prevention of microbial infections in man and animals,” the DoH reports.

The department adds that the committee will also consider the work of other experts in human and animal fields when making its recommendations to the government.

Last month, the DoH announced the granting of 50 million pounds of additional funding to the NHS to help combat C. difficile, MRSA and other healthcare associated infections.

According to government plans, each director of nursing at a Strategic Health Authority will receive five million pounds to ensure the implementation of reforms to combat infections in primary care trusts.