Heart trust breaks rules on superbug prevention

A TOP heart hospital has been found in breach of hygiene standards on superbugs.

Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust has been told to make improvements by the Healthcare Commission.

Inspectors found temporary cleaners were poorly briefed on infection control against MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital was also warned by the watchdog after a spot check uncovered ward floors stained with food as well as dirty lavatory seats and shower stools and found staff not cleaning their hands enough.

The watchdog also published an update on the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust where at least 90 people died as a direct result of appalling hygiene standards.

It said the trust had made "substantial" improvements but still needed to recruit more nurses and learn from complaints.

Every trust will be checked this year to ensure guidelines are being followed.

Royal Brompton and Harefield has the lowest MRSA rates in England. A spokesman said it would "look to formalise arrangements with contractors to ensure their infection prevention training is officially recorded".