Criticism of The National Health Service - Superbugs

Superbugs

See also: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

There have been several fatal outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria ("superbugs") in NHS hospitals, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile. This has led to criticism of standards of hygiene across the NHS, with some patients buying private health insurance or travelling abroad to avoid the perceived threat of catching a "superbug" while in hospital, although the DoH has pledged £60 million for a "deep clean" of all NHS England hospitals. The most deadly outbreak of Clostridium difficile was in two hospitals of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Kent, with 80-90 deaths attributed directly to the outbreak, a contributing factor in another 124 and a probable factor in another 55, according to the Healthcare Commissions Report.

It is theorised that the increased use of strong antibiotics and disinfectants in modern society may account for the increase prevalence of resistant bacteria, although others argue that the introduction of private cleaning contractors into the NHS has been partly to blame, looking to save money at the cost of a loss of hygiene.