Further Steps Made In Reducing Healthcare Infections In The North

The Symposium is part of an ongoing programme of professional development being implemented by the Public Health Agency, which is being taken forward as one of the actions from the Minister's 'Changing the Culture' action plan.

The Minister said: "Tackling healthcare associated infections across Northern Ireland goes right to the heart of improving the safety and quality of healthcare.

"Since I set targets for reducing healthcare associated infections, we have made real progress. Over the last 18 months C. difficile cases have fallen by over 40% while MRSA cases have come down by a third. This is a major achievement, which has benefited patients enormously."

The Minister continued: "I would like to congratulate all those who have played a part in this achievement, but I must emphasise that we can not be complacent and that there is still more to be done.

"That is why today's symposium is so important. It represents a further step in tackling healthcare infections by providing an opportunity to share good practice and to learn more about what works so that we can continue to drive down the rate of infection even further."