Concerns over infection training

The RCN said fighting infection was about much more than handwashing

More than a quarter of nurses have not been trained within the last year on infection control, a union has claimed.

A Royal College of Nursing (RCN) poll found 29% of nurses in Scotland had not received mandatory annual infection-control training in the last 12 months.

It also found that a quarter of nurses were undertaking infection-control training in their own time.

The health secretary said it was the responsibility of NHS boards to ensure proper training systems were in place.

The union - which represents 38,000 nurses in Scotland - has called for resources to be redirected.

'Areas of need'

RCN Scotland director Theresa Fyffe said there had been a "constant stream" of announcements from the Scottish Government on how to tackle healthcare-associated infections.

But she added: "Over a quarter of nurses in Scotland have not received their annual mandatory infection-control training in the last year.

It's shocking that 23% of nurses have had no choice but to store equipment in hospital bathrooms and in sluices Peter Carter RCN

"This survey further reveals the dedication of nursing staff to patient safety with some even undertaking infection-control training in their own time."

She added: "We call on the government to consult with nurses and all healthcare staff so that there is an improved understanding of the difficulties faced by staff on the ground.

"Rather than continuing with the plethora of new initiatives, work must be carried out to improve basic requirements.

"Resources must be redirected at the areas of need and the range of national strategies and action plans must be better co-ordinated and managed with nurses at the frontline involved as full partners in this ongoing battle."

The survey, carried out by ICM, also suggested that 23% of nurses had to store equipment in areas like hospital bathrooms.

Peter Carter, RCN chief executive and general secretary, said: "Having the time and space to clean and then store essential everyday hospital equipment such as IV stands, commodes and patient cushions is crucial in keeping patients safe from dangerous infections.

"It's shocking that 23% of nurses have had no choice but to store equipment in hospital bathrooms and in sluices."

'A threat'

He said it was important to stress that fighting infection was about much more than handwashing.

"It's about keeping every part of the patient environment clean all of the time because infections like MRSA and C. difficile are still very much a threat," he added.

However, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "NHS Boards must take responsibility for ensuring training systems are in place and staff have sufficient time to undertake training to allow them to perform to the highest possible standard.

"Infection control training is a core element of tackling hospital-acquired infections, ensuring all NHS staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need.

"The Cleanliness Champions Programme is an example of flexible training - it is undertaken by staff at their own pace although enrolling on the programme still requires time, dedication and commitment."

She said more than 17,700 staff have registered and over 7,800 trained staff were now in place.

"It can be difficult for staff to schedule training into already busy workloads but I am sure that everyone understands that training in hospital-acquired infections benefits patients and maintains a safer environment for all," she added.