Government announces regional funding for deep cleaning

The health secretary Alan Johnson has announced detailed regional funding for deep cleaning of the country’s hospitals.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Johnson also confirmed the date by which all NHS Hospitals can expect to have carried out a deep clean.

He told MPs that trusts will have to submit detailed deep clean plans, including costs, to their Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities.

Mr Johnson stressed that undertaking a deep clean was a key part of the government’s strategy to improve hygiene and safety in hospitals.

“The Strategic Health Authorities have now allocated funding so that hospitals can get on with the deep clean programme this winter with the aim of completing all deep cleans by the end of March 2008,” he indicated.

Mr Johnson’s statement followed the release of results highlighting the progress of the deep clean programme, with the National Patient Safety Agency finding that 98 per cent of hospitals were rated acceptable for patient satisfaction.

Earlier this year, the government set out a new raft of proposals to help tackle healthcare-associated infections in hospitals, with plans including new guidance on isolation of infected patients, clothing and new responsibilities for healthcare staff.