By Graham Huband

SCOTTISH HEALTH secretary Nicola Sturgeon last night confirmed new measures recommended by superbug expert Professor Hugh Pennington would be adopted in an effort to drive down healthcare-acquired infection rates.

North East Scotland MSP Marlyn Glen wrote to NHS Tayside last week urging the health authority to fully implement the microbiologist’s 15-point plan after five people died in a Clostridium difficile outbreak at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The Labour Party also lobbied the SNP government in a bid to have the plan adopted throughout Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon last night said she had asked her healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) task force to scrutinise Professor Pennington’s plan and a number of the recommendations were now being taken up.

However, she defended the Scottish Government’s record on the issue and said many of the points raised in the plan were already being addressed.

She said, “It is important to note that Scotland has seen significant progress in the fight against hospital-acquired infections, with a welcome reduction in the number of cases of both C. diff and MRSA in recent years.

“Nobody should doubt this government’s commitment to tackling HAIs.

“Far from being complacent, we have acted swiftly, increasing spending by 260% and putting in place a comprehensive programme which is now beginning to reap rewards.

“HAI is a challenge that goes beyond party politics and I believe it is right and proper that all necessary action is taken to tackle infections and maintain public confidence in our NHS.

“That is why I asked our HAI task force to scrutinise Labour’s 15-point action plan to consider what could add value to the work already in place.

“As a result, five of the action plan points are being incorporated into our HAI delivery plan.

“The task force concluded that the other issues raised in the action plan were already being addressed.”

Ms Glen last night said she welcomed the health secretary’s announcement but queried whether it went far enough.

She said, “The question for the Scottish Government remains what priority is it giving to the other points in the plan and how much progress has been made.”

“For example, the Scottish Government wants to reduce C. difficile by ‘at least 30% by 2011.’ This is not as precise and demanding as the Pennington plan that wants the rate cut 50%.

“The question is, ‘Are available resources sufficient to ensure this is achieved and maintained?’ ”

Ms Glen added, “We have welcomed the increased funding to tackle HAI, up from £15 million to £54 million over three years, but how does that compare with how much other health services spend tackling healthcare acquired infection?”

The ward at the centre of the fatal Ninewells outbreak is due to reopen today. Ward 31, which was closed to new admissions on October 19, has undergone deep cleaning.